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Interesting article on an attempt to control varroa through genetics - news to me though others probably know all about it. Full newsletter attached
The National Bee Unit has collaborated with Aberdeen
University in finding a solution to halt the global honey
bee decline by forcing the self-destruction of the
deadly varroa mite. The blood-sucking varroa is the
biggest killer of honey bees world-wide, having
developed resistance to beekeepers’ medication over
the past decade.
It particularly thrives in cold winters when bee colonies are more vulnerable while huddled together tightly to keep warm. Research has shown how to ‘silence’ natural functions in the mites’ gene – with the potential to make them self destruct.
The process uses the Nobel Prize-winning theory ‘RNA interference’, which controls the flow of genetic information. So far the ‘silencing’ has worked with a neutral varroa gene, which has no significant effect on the mite. Scientists now need to target a gene with the specific characteristics that are perfect to force the varroa to self destruct.
Dr Giles Budge said "This cutting edge treatment is environmentally friendly and poses no threat to the bees. With appropriate support from industry and a rigorous approval process, chemical-free medicines could be available in five to ten years".
The National Bee Unit has collaborated with Aberdeen
University in finding a solution to halt the global honey
bee decline by forcing the self-destruction of the
deadly varroa mite. The blood-sucking varroa is the
biggest killer of honey bees world-wide, having
developed resistance to beekeepers’ medication over
the past decade.
It particularly thrives in cold winters when bee colonies are more vulnerable while huddled together tightly to keep warm. Research has shown how to ‘silence’ natural functions in the mites’ gene – with the potential to make them self destruct.
The process uses the Nobel Prize-winning theory ‘RNA interference’, which controls the flow of genetic information. So far the ‘silencing’ has worked with a neutral varroa gene, which has no significant effect on the mite. Scientists now need to target a gene with the specific characteristics that are perfect to force the varroa to self destruct.
Dr Giles Budge said "This cutting edge treatment is environmentally friendly and poses no threat to the bees. With appropriate support from industry and a rigorous approval process, chemical-free medicines could be available in five to ten years".
