Can a Boost of Energy Boost Your Mind? by Shakira Ali

Hi! It’s crazy how much has happened at TRIP so far. As we already learned several skills and techniques so far into the program like collecting and analyzing data and presenting our information to the scientific community, it’s time to start our independent projects! It took me quite a while to determine what I wanted to test on the Drosophila Melanogaster (the fruit fly), but I knew that whatever topic I would pick, it would be because of problems relating to humans. Many college students, like my sister, have become dependent on caffeine sourced products like energy drinks, specifically the trending new drink Celsius, to improve their focus and cognitive functions. However, I’ve always wondered if the short-term boost of energy drinks actually have a positive effect on memory and development. At the same time, sleep-regulating drugs like Melatonin have had both positive and negative cognitive side effects, with many being able to focus better but for others, it makes it difficult to remember certain things. That led me thinking with several questions in mind: How is fly memory and cognitive functions affected by Celsius (energy drink) and melatonin? Does Celsius amplify a fly’s ability to remember and learn and does consuming the recommended dosage of Melatonin cloud memory?

If flies are exposed to both Celsius and melatonin, will the effects of the Celsius be reversed by the effects of melatonin and have an improvement in cognitive function and memory?

After I developed questions and formulated a topic I was interested in, I realized I wanted to use the larval memory assay, which measures the cognitive functions of a fruitful larva. I began to dive into the work of experimental design and calculating drug stocks. Using the mass of an average male human and the wet mass of a fruit fly with the recommended amount of Celsius and melatonin, I was able to calculate how much of each substance was to be added into my fly food. The math was definitely a challenge and I was pretty confused with all the small numbers and steps, but with the help of Dr. Leystra and Dr. Purdy, as well as many of the new friends I made here at TRIP,  I was able to calculate the necessary amount and easily made the drug stocks using micropipettes and other materials. Though I spend about 4 hours every Saturday, I’ve realized over the past couple of weeks here at TRIP, that time goes by so fast!  The people I am with are very supportive and give great advice. They will help you sort flies, grab materials, and double check your drug calculations. I’m so excited to see how my experiment turns out and if the results are similar to my predictions! I look forward to spending more time with my friends and my TRIP family. Thank you for taking the time to read about my experiences here at TRIP and I hope to keep you guys updated on my findings!