Name: Author Spotlight: Influence of Temperature on Drosophila melanogaster and Desert-Adapted Beetles
Uploaded: 2023-07-07T13:20:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Influence of Temperature on Drosophila melanogaster and Desert-Adapted Beetles at JoVE.com

We thank Dr. Linda Restifo at the University of Arizona for suggesting testing the O2 consumption of CASK mutants and for sending CASK mutants and their congenic controls. Publication fees were provided by the Departmental Reinvestment Fund from the Biology Department at the University of College Park. Space and some equipment were provided by the Universities at Shady Grove.

1. Fly rearing and collection
<ol>
	<li>Maintain flies at 25 &#176;C in narrow vials containing standard Drosophila food. 
	NOTE: The sample size for each genotype should comprise at least nine replicates, each consisting of a single respirometer chamber containing 15-25 flies, set up as described below.</li>
	<li>Transfer the flies every 2-3 days.</li>
	<li>Anesthetize flies with CO2, collect groups of 15-25 males of each genotype, and place each group into fresh, unyeasted fo...

Adapting Microrespirometry for Drosophila - Insights into CASK Mutant Metabolism

<ol>
	<li>Arking, R., Buck, S., Wells, R. A., Pretzlaff, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Metabolic+rates+in+genetically+based+long+lived+strains+of+Drosophila.">Metabolic rates in genetically based long lived strains of Drosophila.</a> Experimental Gerontology. 23 (1), 59-76 (1988).</li><li>Henry, Y., Overgaard, J., Colinet, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dietary+nutrient+balance+shapes+phenotypic+traits+of+Drosophila+melanogaster+in+interaction+with+gut+microbiota.">Dietary nutrient balance shapes phenotypic traits of Drosophila melanogaster in interaction with gut microbiota.</a> Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular &amp; Integrative Physiology. 241, 110626 (2020).</li><li>Burggren, W., Souder, B. M., Ho, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Metabolic+rate+and+hypoxia+tolerance+are+affected+by+group+interactions+and+sex+in+the+fruit+fly+(Drosophila+melanogaster):+new+data+and+a+literature+survey.">Metabolic rate and hypoxia tolerance are affected by group interactions and sex in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster): new data and a literature survey.</a> Biology Open. 6, 471-480 (2017).</li><li>Lighton, J. R. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Measuring Metabolic Rates. , (2019).</li><li>Fiorino, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Parallelized,+real-time,+metabolic-rate+measurements+from+individual+Drosophila.">Parallelized, real-time, metabolic-rate measurements from individual Drosophila.</a> Scientific Reports. 8 (1), 14452 (2018).</li><li>Berrigan, D., Partridge, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+temperature+and+activity+on+the+rate+of+adult+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Influence of temperature and activity on the rate of adult Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 118 (4), 1301-1307 (1997).</li><li>Hulbert, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Metabolic+rate+is+not+reduced+by+dietary-restriction+or+by+lowered+insulin/IGF-1+signalling+and+is+not+correlated+with+individual+lifespan+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Metabolic rate is not reduced by dietary-restriction or by lowered insulin/IGF-1 signalling and is not correlated with individual lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Experimental Gerontology. 39 (8), 1137-1143 (2004).</li><li>Botero, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurofibromin+regulates+metabolic+rate+via+neuronal+mechanisms+in+Drosophila.">Neurofibromin regulates metabolic rate via neuronal mechanisms in Drosophila.</a> Nature Communications. 12 (1), 4285 (2021).</li><li>Yatsenko, A. S., Marrone, A. K., Kucherenko, M. M., Shcherbata, H. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+Metabolic+Rate+in+Drosophila+using+Respirometry.">Measurement of Metabolic Rate in Drosophila using Respirometry.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (88), 51681 (2014).</li><li>Ross, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Age-specific+decrease+in+aerobic+efficiency+associated+with+increase+in+oxygen+free+radical+production+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Age-specific decrease in aerobic efficiency associated with increase in oxygen free radical production in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 46 (11), 1477-1480 (2000).</li><li>Brown, E. B., Klok, J., Keene, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+metabolic+rate+in+single+flies+during+sleep+and+waking+states+via+indirect+calorimetry.">Measuring metabolic rate in single flies during sleep and waking states via indirect calorimetry.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 376, 109606 (2022).</li><li>Sandstrom, D. J., Offord, B. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+oxygen+consumption+in+Tenebrio+molitor+using+a+sensitive,+inexpensive,+sensor-based+coulometric+microrespirometer.">Measurement of oxygen consumption in Tenebrio molitor using a sensitive, inexpensive, sensor-based coulometric microrespirometer.</a> Journal of Experimental Biology. 225 (9), jeb243966 (2022).</li><li>Becker, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Presynaptic+dysfunction+in+CASK-related+neurodevelopmental+disorders.">Presynaptic dysfunction in CASK-related neurodevelopmental disorders.</a> Translational Psychiatry. 10 (1), 312 (2020).</li><li>Slawson, J. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Central+Regulation+of+Locomotor+Behavior+of+Drosophila+melanogaster+Depends+on+a+CASK+Isoform+Containing+CaMK-Like+and+L27+Domains.">Central Regulation of Locomotor Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster Depends on a CASK Isoform Containing CaMK-Like and L27 Domains.</a> Genetics. 187 (1), 171-184 (2011).</li><li>Slawson, J. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+dopamine+release+by+CASK-&#206;2+modulates+locomotor+initiation+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Regulation of dopamine release by CASK-&#206;2 modulates locomotor initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 8, (2014).</li><li>Andrew, D. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spontaneous+motor-behavior+abnormalities+in+two+Drosophila+models+of+neurodevelopmental+disorders.">Spontaneous motor-behavior abnormalities in two Drosophila models of neurodevelopmental disorders.</a> Journal of Neurogenetics. 35 (1), 1-22 (2021).</li><li>Ueno, T., Tomita, J., Kume, S., Kume, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dopamine+Modulates+Metabolic+Rate+and+Temperature+Sensitivity+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Dopamine Modulates Metabolic Rate and Temperature Sensitivity in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> PLoS ONE. 7 (2), e31513 (2012).</li><li>Van Voorhies, W. A., Khazaeli, A. A., Curtsinger, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lack+of+correlation+between+body+mass+and+metabolic+rate+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Lack of correlation between body mass and metabolic rate in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 50 (5), 445-453 (2004).</li><li>Norton, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Permeation+of+gases+through+solids.">Permeation of gases through solids.</a> Journal of Applied Physics. 28 (1), 34-39 (1957).</li><li>Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Manahan, D. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coulometric+measurement+of+oxygen-consumption+during+development+of+marine+invertebrate+embryos+and+larvae.">Coulometric measurement of oxygen-consumption during development of marine invertebrate embryos and larvae.</a> Journal of Experimental Biology. 198 (1), 19-30 (1995).</li><li>Sohal, R. S., Agarwal, A., Agarwal, S., Orr, W. 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B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Validation+of+manometric+microrespirometers+for+measuring+oxygen+consumption+in+small+arthropods.">Validation of manometric microrespirometers for measuring oxygen consumption in small arthropods.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 54 (7), 1132-1137 (2008).</li><li>Herreid, C. F., Full, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cockroaches+on+a+treadmill:+Aerobic+running.">Cockroaches on a treadmill: Aerobic running.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 30 (5), 395-403 (1984).</li></ol>

The above procedure demonstrates measurement of O2 consumption in D. Melanogaster using an electronic coulometric microrespirometer. The resulting data for O2 consumption in wild-type D. melanogaster were within the ranges described in most previous publications using diverse methods (Table 1) although somewhat lower than that reported by others3,6.
Critical steps addressed the t...

The ability to measure metabolic rate is crucial for a complete understanding of an organism in its environmental context. For example, it is necessary to measure metabolic rate in order to understand its role in lifespan1, the role of diet in metabolism2, or the threshold for hypoxic stress3.
There are two general approaches to measuring the metabolic rate4. Direct calorimetry measures energy expenditure directly by measuring heat production. Indirect calorimetry measures energy production through other means, often via respirometric measurement of O2 consumption (VO2), CO2 production or both. Although direct calorimetry has been applied to small ectotherms, including Drosophila melanogaster5, respirometry is technically simpler and more commonly used.
Several forms of respirometry have been used successfully to measure metabolic rate in wildtype and mutant D. melanogaster and have provided insight into the metabolic effects of temperature6, social environment3, diet3,7,and neurodevelopmental disorders8. These fall into two classes, which vary considerably in cost and complexity. Manometry is the simplest and least expensive9,10, in which flies are placed into a sealed chamber that contains a CO2 absorbent and which is connected via a thin capillary to a fluid reservoir. As O2 is consumed and CO2 absorbed, pressure in the chamber decreases and fluid is drawn into the capillary. The fluid-filled volume of the capillary is therefore proportional to VO2. More elaborate versions, which compensate for the force exerted by the fluid in the capillary, have also been used on D. melanogaster1. Manometry has the advantages of being simple and inexpensive, but, because it is sensitive to pressure, requires constant environmental conditions. Further, because consumed O2 is not replaced, the partial pressure of O2 (PO2) gradually decreases inside the chambers.
Respirometry using gas analysis is also regularly used for D. melanogaster. In this case, gases are sampled at regular intervals from sealed chambers containing flies and sent to an infrared analyzer2,6,11. This type of apparatus has the advantages that it is available commercially, is less sensitive to environmental conditions, and gases are refreshed during sampling so that PO2 remains stable. However, the equipment can be expensive and complex to operate.
A recently developed coulometric microrespirometer12 provides an inexpensive, sensitive, and stable alternative to existing systems. In practice, an organism is placed into an airtight chamber where it consumes O2 and the exhaled CO2 is removed by an absorbent material, resulting in a net decrease in chamber pressure. When the internal pressure decreases to a pre-set threshold (ON-threshold), current is passed through an electrolytic O2 generator, returning pressure to a second threshold (OFF-threshold) stopping electrolysis. Charge transfer across the O2 generator is directly proportional to the amount of O2 required to re-pressurize the chamber and can therefore be used to measure the O2 consumed by the organism4. The method is highly sensitive, measures VO2 precisely, and the regular replacement of O2 can maintain PO2 at a nearly constant level for hours or days.
The coulometric microrespirometer used in this study employs a multi-modal (pressure, temperature, and humidity) electronic sensor. The sensor is operated by a microcontroller that detects small changes in pressure and activates O2 generation when a low pressure threshold is reached12. This apparatus is assembled from off the shelf parts, can be used with a wide variety of chambers and experimental environments, and has been employed successfully to examine the effects of body mass and temperature on the beetle Tenebrio molitor. In the present study, the microrespirometer has been adapted to measure O2 consumption in D. melanogaster, which has approximately 1% of the mass of T. molitor. Sensitivity of the apparatus has been increased by reducing the threshold for activating O2 generation, and environmental stability has been enhanced by conducting experiments in a temperature-controlled water bath and by maintaining humidity inside the chambers at or near 100%.
The CASK (Calmodulin-dependent Serine Protein Kinase) protein, part of the family of membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUK), is a molecular scaffold in different multi-protein complexes, and mutations in CASK are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in humans and in D. melanogaster13,14. A viable D. melanogaster mutant, CASK&#916;18, disrupts activity of dopaminergic neurons15 and reduces activity levels by more than 50% compared to congenic controls14,16. Because of the reduced activity levels of CASK mutants and the role of catecholamines in regulating metabolism17 we hypothesized that their standard metabolic rate, and therefore O2 consumption, would be dramatically reduced compared to controls.
O2 consumption was measured in CASK&#916;18 and their wildtype congeners, w(ex33). Groups of flies were placed into respirometry chambers, O2 consumption was measured, O2 consumption was calculated and expressed on both a mass-specific and per-fly basis. The apparatus recorded VO2 in wildtype flies that was consistent with previous studies, and it could differentiate between the per-fly O2 consumption of wildtype and CASK mutant flies.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>19/22 Thermometer Adapter</td>
			<td>Wilmad-Labglass</td>
			<td>ML-280-702</td>
			<td>Sensor Plug</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 ml Screwcap Tubes</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>3464</td>
			<td>O2 generator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-Pin Connector</td>
			<td>Zyamy</td>
			<td>40PIN-RFB10</td>
			<td>O2 generator: cut to 2-pin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4-Pin Female Connector</td>
			<td>TE Connectivity</td>
			<td>215299-4</td>
			<td>Sensor Plug</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5 ml Polypropylene Tube</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352063</td>
			<td>Cut to 5.5 cm and perforated&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 ml Schlenk Tube 19/22 Joint</td>
			<td>Laboy</td>
			<td>HMF050804</td>
			<td>Chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-Conductor Cable</td>
			<td>Zenith</td>
			<td>6-Conductor 26 ga</td>
			<td>Cable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-Pin Female Bulkhead Connector</td>
			<td>Switchcraft</td>
			<td>17982-6SG-300</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-Pin Female Connector</td>
			<td>Switchcraft</td>
			<td>18982-6SG-522</td>
			<td>Sensor plug</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-Pin Male Connector</td>
			<td>Switchcraft</td>
			<td>16982-6PG-522</td>
			<td>Cable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>800 ul centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>05-408-120</td>
			<td>Soda Lime Cartridge</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ABS Plastic Enclosure</td>
			<td>Bud Industries</td>
			<td>PS-11533-G</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Arduino Nano Every</td>
			<td>Arduino LLC</td>
			<td>ABX00028</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BME 280 Sensor</td>
			<td>DIYMall</td>
			<td>FZ1639-BME280</td>
			<td>Sensor Plug</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Circuit Board</td>
			<td>Lheng</td>
			<td>5 X 7 cm</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Copper Sulfate</td>
			<td>BioPharm</td>
			<td>BC2045</td>
			<td>O2 Generator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Computer</td>
			<td>Azulle</td>
			<td>Byte4</td>
			<td>Data Acquisition</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton Rolls</td>
			<td>Kajukajudo</td>
			<td>#2</td>
			<td>Cut in half to plug fly tubes 
			Cut in quarters for humidity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Environmental Chamber</td>
			<td>Percival</td>
			<td>I30 VLC8</td>
			<td>Fly Care</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Epoxy</td>
			<td>JB Weld</td>
			<td>Plastic Bonder</td>
			<td>Secure Electrodes in O2 Generator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fly Food</td>
			<td>Lab Express</td>
			<td>Type R</td>
			<td>Fly Care</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Keck Clamps</td>
			<td>uxcell</td>
			<td>a20092300ux0418</td>
			<td>Secures glass joint of chamber to plug</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Low-Viscosity Epoxy</td>
			<td>Loctite</td>
			<td>E-30CL</td>
			<td>Sensor Plug</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OLED Display</td>
			<td>IZOKEE</td>
			<td>IZKE31-IIC-WH-3</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Platinum Wire 24 ga</td>
			<td>uGems</td>
			<td>14349</td>
			<td>O2 generator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicone grease</td>
			<td>Dow-Corning</td>
			<td>High Vacuum Grease</td>
			<td>Seals chamber-plug connection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Soda Lime</td>
			<td>Jorvet</td>
			<td>JO553</td>
			<td>CO2 absorption</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Toggle Switch</td>
			<td>E-Switch</td>
			<td>100SP1T1B1M1QEH</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>USB Cable</td>
			<td>Sabrent</td>
			<td>CB-UM63</td>
			<td>Controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>USB Hub</td>
			<td>Atolla</td>
			<td>Hub 3.0</td>
			<td>Connect controllers to computer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water bath</td>
			<td>Amersham</td>
			<td>56-1165-33</td>
			<td>Temperature Control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water Bath Tank</td>
			<td>Glass Cages</td>
			<td>15-liter rimless acrylic</td>
			<td>Bath for Respirometers</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

measuring o2 consumption in drosophila melanogaster using coulometric microrespirometry

Coulometric microrespirometry is a straightforward, inexpensive method for measuring the O2 consumption of small organisms while maintaining a stable environment. A coulometric microrespirometer consists of an airtight chamber in which O2 is consumed and the CO2 produced by the organism is removed by an absorbent medium. The resulting pressure decrease triggers electrolytic O2 production, and the amount of O2 produced is measured by recording the amount of charge used to generate it. In the present study, the method has been adapted to Drosophila melanogaster tested in small groups, with the sensitivity of the apparatus and the environmental conditions optimized for high stability. The amount of O2 consumed by wildtype flies in this apparatus is consistent with that measured by previous studies. Mass-specific O2 consumption by CASK mutants, which are smaller and known to be less active, was not different from congenic controls. However, the small size of CASK mutants resulted in a significant reduction in O2 consumption on a per-fly basis. Therefore, the microrespirometer is capable of measuring O2 consumption in D. melanogaster, can distinguish modest differences between genotypes, and adds a versatile tool for measuring metabolic rates.

Author Spotlight: Influence of Temperature on Drosophila melanogaster and Desert-Adapted Beetles 

Measuring O2 Consumption in Drosophila melanogaster Using Coulometric Microrespirometry

The pressure and current outputs of the respirometer controller are shown for one chamber in one experiment in Figure 3A. The first, long current pulse pressurized the chamber from ambient pressure (approximately 992 hPa) to the pre-set OFF threshold of 1017 hPa. As the flies consumed O2 and CO2 was absorbed, pressure decreased slowly until it reached the ON threshold of 1016 hPa, which activated current through the O2 generator. In the example shown, the ave...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Influence of Temperature on Drosophila melanogaster and Desert-Adapted Beetles at JoVE.com

Coulometric respirometry is ideal for measuring the metabolic rate of small organisms. When adapted for Drosophila melanogaster in the present study, measured O2 consumption was within the range reported for wildtype D. melanogaster by previous studies. Per-fly O2 consumption by CASK mutants, which are smaller and less active, was significantly lower than the wildtype.

Coulometric microrespirometry is a straightforward, inexpensive method for measuring the O2 consumption of small organisms while maintaining a stable ...

Our research is focused on how temperature and activity affect insect metabolism. This is essential to understand how species have evolved to survive in their surroundings, and how they will continue to adapt in a changing world. Understanding the physiology and behavior of individual organisms is crucial to this endeavor.Metabolic rate can be measured directly by measuring heat production, or indirectly by measuring the consumption of oxygen or the production of carbon dioxide. Although it is technically possible to measure heat production by an organism as small as a fruit fly, indirect methods are used more commonly. The current challenges to measuring metabolism on this scale will include cost, environmental stability, and reliability.Commercially available systems are reliable, stable, and relatively easy to purchase, but they can be complex and expensive. DIY manometers are inexpensive, but can introduce error and require fabrication for each experiment. The coulometric respirometer is relatively inexpensive, easy to use, provides a convenient readout of environmental parameters, and all components are reusable.In addition, the regular replacement of oxygen maintains a stable environment for hours or even days. In the lab, we'll be studying the metabolic variation between established control strains of drosophila, and the effects of hyper and hypoactive mutants on oxygen consumption. In the field, we'll begin studying the metabolic rates and temperature tolerance of wild, desert-adapted beetles.