dTBI2: A Calibrated, Tunable Device for Administering Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila

Abstract

The second‐generation Drosophila traumatic brain injury (TBI) device dTBI2 improves Drosophila TBI administration by providing a moderate‐throughput, tunable, head‐specific injury. Our updated device design improves user‐friendliness, eliminates inconsistencies in injury timing, and has an updated circuit design to extend the longevity of delicate electronic components. dTBI2 improves reproducibility across users and runs, and results in more consistent post‐injury phenotypes. This protocol describes the construction, calibration, and use of the dTBI2 device, which uses an Arduino‐controlled piezoelectric actuator to deliver a force that compresses a fly head against a metal collar. The duration and depth of head compression is tunable, allowing calibration of injury severity. All device components are commercially available, and the entire device can be constructed in under a week for less than $1000. The dTBI2 design will enable any lab to build a highly reliable, low‐cost device for Drosophila TBI, facilitating increased adoption and ease of exploration of closed‐head TBI in Drosophila for forward genetic screens. We describe below the three protocols necessary for constructing a dTBI2 device. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Construction of the dTBI2 control deviceBasic Protocol 2: Construction of the piezoelectric actuator housingBasic Protocol 3: Administration of dTBI2 injuries