Holidic Media for Drosophila
Chemically defined diet for precise nutritional control in feeding experiments. Enables manipulation of individual amino acids, sugars, and other nutrients.
Resources
Experiment Protocols
Standardized protocols for every Easy Behavior system. Follow published methods to ensure reproducible results across experiments and labs.
Work in progress. This page is still being built. The published flyPAD/optoPAD protocol below is live now — more detailed, system-specific guides are coming soon. You can also contact us if you need a specific protocol.
Equipment Protocols
Standard operating procedures for each Easy Behavior system. A complete, published flyPAD/optoPAD protocol is available now; detailed, system-specific guides are in preparation — the summaries below outline what each will cover.
Published protocol
flyPAD optoPAD
Quantifying Drosophila Feeding Behavior Using flyPAD and optoPAD
Collins NJ, Endres MN, Sinakevitch IT, Shao L · bioRxiv, 2026 · University of Delaware
A detailed, step-by-step protocol for consumption and dietary-choice assays in Drosophila using the flyPAD/optoPAD system — covering assay food preparation, flyPAD arena setup, data acquisition, and downstream data organization with suggested analyses. Includes guidance for optogenetic manipulations and two-choice preference assays, suitable for studies of consumption, nutrient preference, learning, and state-dependent modulation of feeding.
Read the full protocol on bioRxivDetailed system-specific guides — in preparation
flyPAD Feeding Assay
Standard single-food or two-choice feeding assay for Drosophila melanogaster. Covers fly preparation, food loading, arena setup, data acquisition, and analysis pipeline.
flyPAD Food Intake
Two-Choice Preference Assay
Protocol for measuring food preference between two options. Includes arena preparation with two food wells, preference index calculation, and controls for side bias.
flyPAD Food Preference
optoPAD Closed-Loop Protocol
Setting up behavior-contingent optogenetic stimulation during feeding. Covers LED calibration, Bonsai workflow configuration, trigger thresholds, and Gal4/UAS cross preparation.
optoPAD Optogenetics
flyGym Exercise Protocol
Controlled exercise regime protocol for Drosophila. Covers loading flies, setting exercise intensity and duration, rest intervals, and long-term exercise study design.
flyGym Exercise
Sample Preparation Protocols
Published protocols for fly food and colony maintenance relevant to behavioral assays.
Axenic (Germ-Free) Drosophila
Generating germ-free flies for microbiome studies. Essential for experiments investigating the role of commensal bacteria in feeding behavior and food preference.
Starvation Protocols
Standardized starvation conditions for hunger-motivated feeding assays. Covers timing, water access, and controls for consistent motivational state.
Need a custom protocol?
Contact us to discuss protocol adaptations for your specific experimental needs.