ConductVision Drosophila Package
$1,990 per yearA 5-year license is $3,990 in total.
The ConductVision license for Drosophila tests. It also scores the visual and olfactory apparatus, the open field, the maze array and the heat maze.
Drosophila Gravitaxis Maze
SKU ME-8508
$1,990.00
IncludesStandard care
Specialized choice maze for quantifying positive and negative gravitaxis responses in Drosophila species through controlled upward and downward movement pathways.
CE MarkedBAA available
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Drosophila
- SKU family
- ME-8508
- Sizing
- Drosophila Gravitaxis Maze: Length of tube at maze entrance: 11cm; Diameter of polypropylene tubing: 4.76mm; Thickness of supporting base: 0.79mm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Polypropylene tubing
The Drosophila Gravitaxis Maze is a specialized behavioral apparatus designed to assess gravitactic responses in Drosophila species. This choice maze allows researchers to quantify positive or negative geotaxis by providing subjects with upward and downward movement options through a network of polypropylene tubes and connectors. The apparatus features a single entrance tube leading to nine collection exits, enabling systematic analysis of directional preferences in response to gravitational cues.
Constructed with transparent plastic Y and T-shaped connectors and 15 ml acrylic collection tubes, the maze incorporates controlled lighting positioned 7 inches from collection areas to minimize phototactic interference. The entrance tube is covered with opaque black tape to eliminate visual bias, ensuring that movement patterns reflect gravitactic rather than phototactic responses. This design enables researchers to investigate the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying gravitaxis behavior in Drosophila melanogaster and related species.
How It Works
Gravitaxis relies on specialized mechanosensory organs in Drosophila that detect gravitational orientation through statocyst-like structures and proprioceptive feedback from leg and wing positions. When placed in the maze entrance, flies must choose between upward and downward pathways based on their innate or conditioned responses to gravity. The maze design eliminates confounding factors by using uniform tube dimensions (4.76 mm diameter) and controlled lighting to minimize phototactic influence on movement decisions.
The branching tube network creates multiple decision points where flies encounter Y and T-shaped connectors, allowing researchers to track the consistency of gravitactic preferences across repeated choice opportunities. Collection tubes positioned at terminal exits capture flies that complete their traversal, enabling quantification of positive geotaxis (downward movement) versus negative geotaxis (upward movement) based on final distribution patterns.
Features & Benefits
Single entrance with nine collection exits
Enables comprehensive analysis of directional preferences while accommodating multiple test subjects simultaneously
4.76 mm diameter polypropylene tubing
Provides optimal passage dimensions for Drosophila locomotion without constraining natural movement patterns
15 ml acrylic collection tubes
Transparent containers allow visual confirmation of fly distribution and facilitate easy subject retrieval for further analysis
Y and T-shaped transparent connectors
Creates multiple decision points for robust assessment of gravitactic consistency across repeated choices
Opaque black tape entrance covering
Eliminates phototactic bias to ensure behavioral responses reflect gravitational rather than visual orientation cues
Controlled light positioning at 7 inches
Standardizes illumination conditions to minimize environmental variables that could confound gravitaxis measurements
0.79 mm thickness supporting base
Provides stable platform for consistent maze orientation while minimizing vibration interference during testing
Sizes by model
| Measurement | Drosophila Gravitaxis Maze |
|---|---|
| Size | Length of tube at maze entrance: 11cm; Diameter of polypropylene tubing: 4.76mm; Thickness of supporting base: 0.79mm |
- Length of tube at maze entrance: 11cm
- Diameter of polypropylene tubing: 4.76mm
- Volume of exit tubes: 15ml
- Thickness of supporting base: 0.79mm
Entrance Tube Length
- 11 cm
Tube Diameter
- 4.76 mm
Number of Exits
- 9
Collection Tube Volume
- 15 ml
Base Thickness
- 0.79 mm
Light Source Distance
- 7 inches from collection tubes
Tube Material
- Polypropylene tubing
Collection Tube Material
- Acrylic
Connector Types
- Y and T shaped connectors
Connector Material
- Transparent plastic
Entrance Tube Covering
- Opaque black tape
Behavioral Construct
- Gravitaxis
- Geotaxis
- Spatial orientation
- Motor coordination
- Choice behavior
- Directional preference
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Acrylic
- Plastic
- Polypropylene
Species
- Drosophila
Display Type
- None
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
- Learning and Memory
- Motor Function
- Neuroscience
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Shipping weight
- 21.0 lb
Shipping box
- L: 43.2 cm
- W: 38.0 cm
- H: 27.9 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of collection points | 9 collection exits | Simple vertical tubes offer 2-4 collection points | More collection points enable statistical analysis of directional preferences and assessment of behavioral consistency |
| Entrance design | 11 cm entrance tube with opaque covering | Basic entry ports often lack light shielding | Eliminates phototactic bias to ensure responses reflect gravitational rather than visual orientation cues |
| Tube diameter | 4.76 mm polypropylene tubing | Varies by model, often wider or narrower | Optimized diameter accommodates natural Drosophila locomotion without constraining movement patterns |
| Decision complexity | Y and T-shaped connectors create multiple choice points | Linear vertical columns offer limited decision opportunities | Multiple decision points provide robust assessment of gravitactic consistency across repeated choices |
| Collection volume | 15 ml acrylic collection tubes | Smaller collection areas in basic designs | Larger collection volume accommodates multiple subjects and facilitates easy subject retrieval for analysis |
This maze offers comprehensive gravitaxis assessment through nine collection points connected by Y and T-shaped pathways, with controlled lighting and opaque entrance design to minimize confounding variables. The 4.76 mm tube diameter and 15 ml collection tubes optimize both fly locomotion and experimental convenience.
Neuroscience
Investigating neural circuits and sensory mechanisms that control gravitactic orientation behavior in Drosophila models of neurological disorders.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Screening drug effects on motor coordination and spatial orientation by comparing gravitaxis performance before and after compound administration.
Developmental Biology
Assessing changes in gravitactic behavior across Drosophila life stages to understand developmental maturation of sensory-motor integration.
Learning and Memory
Evaluating spatial memory formation by testing gravitaxis preferences following training protocols that associate directional movement with rewards or aversive stimuli.
Motor Function
Quantifying locomotor deficits in mutant fly lines by measuring their ability to perform coordinated climbing or descending movements against gravity.
Aging Research
Monitoring age-related decline in gravitactic performance as a biomarker for motor function deterioration in aging Drosophila cohorts.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify maze orientation using a bubble level before each experiment to ensure consistent gravitational reference.
Why: Even small deviations from vertical alignment can introduce directional bias that confounds gravitaxis measurements.
Maintenance
Inspect tube connections weekly and replace any cracked or damaged connectors immediately.
Why: Damaged pathways can create dead ends or escape routes that invalidate behavioral data.
Best Practices
Allow flies to acclimate in the entrance tube for 30-60 seconds before beginning trials.
Why: Acclimation reduces stress-induced movement artifacts and allows subjects to respond to gravitational rather than handling cues.
Troubleshooting
If flies congregate at connectors without proceeding, reduce ambient vibrations and air currents in the testing area.
Why: Environmental disturbances can override gravitactic responses and cause hesitation at decision points.
Data Quality
Record temperature and humidity conditions for each experimental session.
Why: Environmental conditions affect Drosophila activity levels and may influence gravitactic response magnitude.
Safety
Use CO2 anesthesia sparingly and allow complete recovery before testing to avoid motor impairment.
Why: Residual anesthesia effects can compromise gravitactic responses and lead to false behavioral deficits.
Best Practices
Test age-matched cohorts within 2-4 hour time windows to control for circadian influences on activity.
Why: Drosophila motor activity varies throughout the day, which can affect gravitaxis performance independent of experimental treatments.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect
Remove maze components and verify all polypropylene tubing, connectors, and collection tubes are intact without cracks or blockages.
Assemble Tube Network
Connect the 11 cm entrance tube to Y and T-shaped connectors according to maze configuration, ensuring secure fits without gaps.
Attach Collection Tubes
Install all nine 15 ml acrylic collection tubes at terminal exit points and verify they are properly seated to prevent fly escape.
Mount on Base
Secure assembled maze to the 0.79 mm supporting base in vertical orientation with entrance tube positioned horizontally for fly introduction.
Apply Light Shield
Cover entrance tube completely with opaque black tape to eliminate visual cues and ensure gravitactic rather than phototactic responses.
Position Light Source
Install light source exactly 7 inches from collection tubes to provide consistent illumination without creating directional bias.
Test Pathway Flow
Verify all pathways are clear by introducing inert particles through the entrance and confirming they reach collection tubes without obstruction.
What’s in the Box
- Polypropylene entrance tube (11 cm length)
- Y and T-shaped transparent plastic connectors
- Nine acrylic collection tubes (15 ml capacity each)
- Supporting base (0.79 mm thickness)
- Opaque black tape for entrance covering
- Assembly instructions
- User manual with protocol guidelines (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for setup and protocol optimization.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesSupports standardized reporting of experimental design and methodology in Drosophila behavioral studies
Laboratory Animal Welfare StandardsFacilitates humane behavioral testing protocols that minimize stress through appropriate housing and handling procedures
Protocol and background
Introduction
Drosophila gravitaxis maze is used to observe positive or negative gravitaxis movement in Drosophila species. It is a choice maze that allows the subjects to move up or down based on their preference. The results obtained using gravitaxis maze are analyzed for studying the molecular and genetic basis of gravitaxis.
Gravitaxis, also known as geotaxis, is the directed movement represented by organisms in response to gravity. Gravity helps living beings to orient themselves with their surroundings. It is integral for an organism to respond to gravitational force either positively or negatively to sustain in the environment. The movement of an organism towards gravity is called positive gravitaxis or geopositive response, whereas, the movement against gravity is termed as negative gravitaxis or geonegative response. Like other organisms, Drosophila melanogaster also displays a strong gravitaxis behavior.
The Drosophila gravitaxis maze consists of an entrance tube fitted into the maze made of polypropylene tubes along with T and Y shaped connectors. The maze has one entrance and nine exits. The maze makes use of an attractant in the exit collection tubes in addition to the light source present near the exit of the maze. As a result, the Drosophila navigate the maze by choosing either to walk upward or downward to reach their preferred choice exit. The number of up or down choices made by the flies in the maze is used to deduce the gravitaxis behavior of Drosophila.
Other apparatuses that make use of the Drosophila model are the Drosophila Y Maze, the Drosophila Shallow Chamber, the Drosophila Maze Array, and the Drosophila Olfactory Operant Conditioning.
Apparatus and Equipment
The gravitaxis maze consists of the entrance tube, the maze, and the exit collection tubes. The entrance channel of the maze is fitted with an 11 cm long plastic tube covered with opaque black tape. The maze is composed of 4.76 mm diameter polypropylene tubing and transparent plastic Y, and T shaped connectors. The nine exit areas comprise 15 ml collection tubes made of acrylic, fitted through small plastic pipes and rubber stoppers. These collection tubes contain the attractant for flies such as yeast. The maze is fixed to a 0.79 mm thick supporting base for rigidity. An illuminated source is placed seven inches from the collection tubes at the maze end.
Training Protocol
Before the trial begins, number the collection tubes from top to bottom as 1 to 9 for calculating the result. An external tracking and recording systems such as Noldus Ethovision XT can be used with the Gravitaxis maze for observing the flies’ gravitaxis behavior.
Pretraining
Transfer the subjects in empty vials 20 to 30 min before loading into the gravitaxis maze to avoid any transfer of food or debris inside the maze.
The Gravitaxis Assay
Place an attractant such as yeast paste in the collection tubes at the exit of the maze. Transfer the flies in the entrance tube and attach it to the maze entrance point. Flick the entrance tube after 1 hour to motivate the flies to leave the tube and enter the maze. Allow the flies to run through the maze and gather in the collection tubes under the influence of light source near the exit. After 3 hours, remove the collection tubes and plug them with cotton. Count the number of flies present in each collection tube.
Identification of QTLs contribution in Gravitaxis behavior of Drosophila melanogaster
Desroches, Busto, Riedl, Mackay, and Sokolowski (2010) performed Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping in 88 recombinant inbred (RI) lines of male Drosophila melanogaster. The Gravitaxis maze was used to identify the significant QTLs responsible for the gravitaxis behavior observed. Subjects were tested every day for 5 consecutive days with strain and maze location randomized for each day. Behavioral variation was observed in all RI lines in adult gravitaxis. Further, the mean exit tube position was approximately 4 across all lines of Drosophila melanogaster. QTL mapping revealed four significant gravitaxis QTLs on the second and third chromosomes. Of the four QTLs, gravitaxis QTL A had the highest level of significance in the QTL analysis.
Data Analysis
The following parameters can be recorded in the Drosophila Gravitaxis maze:
- Number of flies at each exit point
- Average choices made in the upward direction
- Average choices made in the downward direction
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
The gravitaxis maze helps in assessing gravitaxis behavior and furnish the basic data required for evaluating the molecular, cellular and genetic assessment of the gravitaxis behavior in flies. The maze has a simple yet effective design for assessment of gravitaxis behaviors. The maze is easy to use and delivers reproducible results. The subjects do not require habituation to the apparatus prior to being tested.
Limitations
The orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the maze is crucial for obtaining unbiased and accurate results. Vertically oriented gravitaxis maze produce more accurate results as more flies appear at the exit points. On the contrary, horizontally oriented mazes show more random movement in the right and left direction instead of towards or away from gravity (Armstrong, Texada, Munjaal, Baker, & Beckingham, 2006). Factors such as age, sex, species, and strains can also affect the task results. Presence of unnecessary disturbances and stimuli can also affect task performances.
Summary
- Drosophila gravitaxis maze is used to observe the positive and negative gravitaxis movement.
- The gravitaxis maze consists of nine choice tubes facing a light source which acts as an attractant.
- The results obtained by using gravitaxis maze can be applied for further research to evaluate the molecular and genetic basis of gravitaxis along with the gravitaxis defects in the subjects.
- The vertically oriented choice maze produces more accurate results in comparison to the horizontal orientation.
References
- Armstrong, J. D., Texada, M. J., Munjaal, R., Baker, D. A., & Beckingham, K. M. (2006). Gravitaxis in Drosophila melanogaster: a forward genetic screen. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 5(3), 222-239. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-183X.2005.00154.x
- Desroches, C. E., Busto, M., Riedl, C. A., Mackay, T. F., & Sokolowski, M. B. (2010). Quantitative trait locus mapping of gravitaxis behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics Research, 92(3), 167-174. doi:10.1017/S0016672310000194
From the Maze Engineers documentation for this apparatus.
Q
What is the optimal fly density per test session to avoid crowding effects?
A
Consult product datasheet for recommended subject numbers. Generally, individual flies or small groups of 5-10 subjects prevent overcrowding in the 4.76 mm diameter tubing while allowing statistical analysis of group behavior.
Q
How do I minimize phototactic interference with gravitaxis measurements?
A
The maze includes opaque black tape for entrance tube covering and controlled light positioning 7 inches from collection tubes. Additional environmental lighting should be diffuse and uniform to avoid creating directional visual cues.
Q
What collection methods work best with the 15 ml acrylic tubes?
A
The transparent acrylic tubes allow visual confirmation of fly distribution. Gentle aspiration or brief cooling can facilitate subject transfer for counting and further analysis without injury.
Q
Can the maze accommodate different Drosophila strains and mutants?
A
Yes, the 4.76 mm tube diameter accommodates standard laboratory Drosophila strains. Researchers should validate that specific mutant lines with altered body size or mobility can navigate the maze pathways effectively.
Q
How do I clean and sterilize the apparatus between experiments?
A
Disassemble components and clean with mild detergent solution, then rinse thoroughly. Ethanol sterilization is compatible with polypropylene and acrylic materials. Ensure complete drying before reassembly.
Q
What environmental conditions optimize gravitaxis testing?
A
Maintain consistent temperature (typically 22-25°C) and humidity levels. Minimize vibrations and air currents that could influence movement patterns independent of gravitational cues.
Q
How does this maze compare to vertical column assays?
A
The branched design with multiple decision points provides more comprehensive assessment of gravitactic consistency compared to simple vertical tubes. The nine collection points enable statistical analysis of directional preferences across repeated choices.
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Score this test with ConductVision
ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it reports the measures listed below.
What it measures
Negative Geotaxis
- Pass Rate (%)
- Climb Height
- Climb Velocity
- Performance Index
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Drosophila Gravitaxis Maze
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