Team:Lethbridge HS/Introduction

Overview

The top 100 food crops produced provide 90% of the world’s nutrition. 70% of these crops are pollinated by bees. A phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has decimated honeybee colonies across the world, halving the number of productive colonies worldwide. One of the main factors hypothesized to contribute to CCD is the mite and viral vector Varroa destructor. While feeding on the bee’s hemolymph, Varroa destructor expels RNA viruses into the bee crippling colony’s strength. Current commercial methods to eradicate Varroa have seen a gradual development of resistance in treated populations. Using synthetic biology, we plan to target Varroa more effectively by directly delivering the miticide, oxalic acid into Varroa and utilizing RNA interference to eliminate Varroa populations within commercial hives.

Our Solution

Current methods to deal with V. destructor are ineffective as they do not target the mite at a crucial phase when the bee is most susceptible. Current methods involve the use of formic acid which is disadvantageous due to its harmful effect on capped and uncapped honey bee brood1. We are working on killing the mites more effectively by directing delivery of the miticide, oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is an optimal weapon against the mites because the concentration needed to kill a mite is 70 times less lethal to the bee2. The acid is already being used in syrup and spray solutions. Our method is differs from other oxalic acid methods as it directly transfers the oxalic acid to the mite through the blood-like substance of the bee. Specifically, we are aiming to put E. coli in the midgut of the bee via ingestion, the E. coli would then produce oxalic acid which would be absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, when the mite attacks the bee and drinks its blood, the oxalic acid will be there as a defense and treatment mechanism.

Aspects of Our Project

Project

Human Practices

Notebook

Safety

Software

Achievements

Team

Collaborations

Thanks to our amazing sponsors

Who are we?

We are a High School team composed of three local high school within the Lethbridge city area in Southern Alberta, Canada. Team members hail from Winston Churchill High School, Chinook High School, and Lethbridge Collegiate School. Team meetings along with wet lab activities are hosted by the University of Lethbridge Chemistry and Biochemistry department.

'
Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC BY 3.0