Scientists have made a breakthrough in developing an RNA-based probiotic to save honeybees from disease and improve crop yields. The new treatment, which involves genetically modifying a specific bacteria found in the gut of honeybees, has shown promising results in protecting bees against mites and viruses.
Honeybees are crucial pollinators, responsible for pollinating around 7-35% of America’s crops, including wheat, corn, and rice. However, their populations have been declining due to various factors, including disease and pesticide use. Researchers have found that the main driver of bee health problems is not pesticides, but rather diseases caused by parasites and viruses.
Varroa mites and deformed wing virus are two of the most common hazards facing honeybees. Varroa mites feed on the fat bodies of bees, while deformed wing virus infects bees and causes developmental deformities. Current treatments for these issues often involve pesticides, which have led to resistance. Instead, scientists are exploring alternative methods, such as genetic engineering.
The new probiotic involves genetically modifying a bacteria found in the gut of honeybees to produce double-stranded RNA, which can be used to defend against mites and viruses. The modified bacteria, called Snodgrassella alvi wkB2, was first tested in a recent study published in Science. The researchers found that the engineered microbe could deliver RNA to bees and stimulate an RNAi response, which effectively protected them from infections.
While the treatment has shown promise, there are still challenges to be addressed. RNA is a notoriously unstable molecule, making it difficult to administer, and the current method of delivery involves injecting individual bees with the modified bacteria. However, researchers believe that modifying other microbes in the gut could provide a more stable and efficient way to deliver the RNA cure.
The development of this RNA-based probiotic has significant implications for food security and environmental sustainability. Honeybees are essential pollinators, and their decline can have devastating consequences on global food production. This breakthrough offers a potential solution to protecting bees without using harmful chemicals or introducing invasive species.
Regulatory clearance is still unclear, but researchers believe that the treatment would likely be regulated in the same way as engineered human probiotics. However, countries with stricter GMO regulations may be more skeptical of this technology, and approval could be delayed.
Source: https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2025/08/22/disease-is-the-greatest-threat-to-bee-health-can-we-protect-them-through-genetically-engineered-probiotics