Environmental Chambers for Insect Circadian Studies

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Daily changes in ambient light and temperature exert a profound influence on the behaviour of most organisms. They directly affect gene expression, biochemical reactions, physiology, social interactions and key aspects of the ecosystem such as predator-prey interactions and food availability. Given the sweeping effects of these factors, it is crucial to control environmental variables during biological experiments. The PI, Dr. Levine, has already obtained NSERC funding for studies that investigate effects of time of day, light, temperature, and humidity on groups of Drosophila. Moreover, the entire UTM insect group, 6 additional co-PIs from Levine's department, each with their own laboratory, would benefit from a dedicated experimental space that controls circadian changes in light and temperature. The insect group includes over 200 trainees within a given funding period and these, as much as the PIs, are the beneficiaries of this proposal. These precisely controlled experimental environments will allow novel studies for each lab while facilitating collaborations between labs. Moreover, the proposed space would add rigor to experiments at UTM because current infrastructure lacks these important controls. This insect group consists of labs that study behaviour, neurophysiology, development, molecular mechanisms of circadian clocks, feeding, neuroendocrine function, and the evolution of mating systems in fruitflies, crickets, locusts, spiders and Rhodnius prolixus. We are asking for funds to install two units. Each unit contains independent light-tight rooms that are 12 hours out of phase so that sampling throughout the 24 hour day can occur within 12 hours under a variety of photoperiodic and thermoperiodic regimes. If funded, the university has committed ample funds to prepare the space for installation.