Automatic Kontrol Module – AKM-007

Contributor: Alexander K. Murashov, M.D., Ph.D.

We have recently developed an Arduino-based microcontroller that facilitates observations in passive avoidance behavior assay in Drosophila fruit fly. The device allows triggering electric shock via Grass S88 stimulator and recording of latencies, a number of shocks, and duration of grooming behavior. The data are saved on a memory card and the recorded files can be exported to MS Excel for analysis. While the device has been developed for passive avoidance assay in a fruit fly, theoretically, it can be adopted for other assays including laboratory rodents, which require recording of latencies, duration of behavior, and a number of stimulations.