Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Baton Rouge, Louisiana » Honey Bee Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412644
Research Project: Using Genetics to Improve the Breeding and Health of Honey Bees

Location: Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research

Title: Green biomanufacturing of edible antiviral therapeutics for managed pollinators

Author
item Ricigliano, Vincent
item MCMENAMIN, ALEXANDER - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Martin, Allyson
item Adjaye, Daniela
item Simone-Finstrom, Michael
item Rainey, Victor

Submitted to: NPJ Sustainable Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/27/2024
Publication Date: 3/19/2024
Citation: Ricigliano, V.A., Mcmenamin, A., Martin, A.M., Adjaye, D.F., Simone-Finstrom, M., Rainey, V.P. 2024. Green biomanufacturing of edible antiviral therapeutics for managed pollinators. NPJ Sustainable Agriculture. 2:Article4. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-024-00011-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-024-00011-7

Interpretive Summary: Managed bees are important agricultural pollinators threatened by declines linked to viruses. Here, we developed a novel antiviral treatment for bees using edible blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Algae strains were engineered to induce RNA interference (RNAi) immune responses when fed to bees. Treatments targeting deformed wing virus – a notorious pathogen – suppressed viral infection and improved survival in honey bees. This design presents a highly scalable and sustainable approach to alleviate viral stressors in managed pollinators and support global food security.

Technical Abstract: Managed bees are important agricultural pollinators threatened by declines linked to multi-host ribonucleic acid (RNA)viruses. Here, we developed a novel antiviral therapeutic platform for bees using the edible photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973. Strains were engineered to induce RNA interference (RNAi) immune responses when fed to bees. Treatments targeting deformed wing virus – a notorious pathogen – suppressed viral infection and improved survival in honey bees. This design presents a versatile and sustainable therapeutic that can be directly incorporated into supplemental feeds for managed pollinators to mitigate viruses and support global food security.