Biotech Updates

Uppsala University Researchers Release Sequence of Honeybees' Genome

September 3, 2014

Researchers from Uppsala University present the first global analysis of genome variation in honeybees. The research findings show the high level of genetic diversity in honeybees, and traced the origins of honeybees back to Asia instead of Africa, as previously believed. The research, published in the journal Genetics, examined the DNA of 140 honeybees from populations in the US, Brazil, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Matthew Webster, researcher at the department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology at Uppsala University said "We have identified high levels of genetic diversity in honeybees. In contrast to other domestic species, management of honeybees seems to have increased levels of genetic variation by mixing bees from different parts of the world."

The research findings also indicated that global colony losses is not caused by high levels of inbreeding, but that climate change has strongly impacted honeybee populations historically.

For more information, read the news release at: http://www.uu.se/en/media/news/article/?id=3605&area=2,5,10,16&typ=artikel&na=&lang=en.