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Look, I don't love insects either. But these roaches actually aren't that bad. They're actually kind of cute, when you get used to them.
If you're an educator and would like to talk about running similar experiments in your lab course during a pandemic, get in touch! ajuavinett[at]ucsd.edu
BIPN 145 usually includes work with earthworms, leeches, and fruit flies, so we wanted to be sure that you could have an authentic experience, even in the virtual setting.
BIPN 145 usually includes work with earthworms, leeches, and fruit flies, so we wanted to be sure that you could have an authentic experience, even in the virtual setting.
As such, we’ll be sending you live cockroaches in a closed container so that we can stimulate and record from real neurons in their leg, similar. Along with the cockroaches, you'll get a Spikerbox Recording Kit from Backyard Brains. The hope is that you'll get a chance to look away from the screen for a bit and carry out your own physiology experiments at home.
Unlike cockroaches in the U.S., these cockroaches are not pests. They are exotic roaches that do not thrive without proper husbandry -- that means no worries about escapees taking over your home!
You’ll be able to easily anesthetize the cockroaches in ice to remove the leg, and they can survive just fine after this experiment (they’ll even regrow the leg). We’ll provide a return label for you to return the kit and possibly the cockroaches, if you choose. (Although, I highly recommend keeping them as pets. Take what you can during a pandemic, amiright?)
As scientists, we need to acknowledge the ethical considerations behind these experiments. We'll talk about this in class, but in the meantime, Backyard Brains has written about this as well.
I’d encourage you to give this a shot, if you’re willing. But, if this feels wildly out of your comfort zone, you can act as the support team for your lab members, without any intimidating insects. Please email me ASAP letting me know if you would like to opt out of this experiment.
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