Location: Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research
Project Number: 6050-30500-001-022-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2026
End Date: Jun 30, 2030
Objective:
The primary objective of this agreement is to establish a mechanism to fund a graduate student in support of implementing genomic selection approaches in honey bee breeding. Principally the project focus is in establishing a breeding approach that uses this level of genomic information to improve critical traits of interest in for the U.S. honey bee industry, e.g. pest resistance, productivity, etc. The Cooperator has a strong graduate education program in plant breeding and genetics and how to apply genomic selection in novel plant systems, but lacks expertise in honey bee as a model, honey bee genetics and the necessary connections to beekeeping stakeholders. We will provide these resources while working with the collaborator to recruit a student with strong interest in the subject matter to assist in (1) develop a robust trait and genotype data set, (2) derive key predictive breeding values that can be implemented in (3) a functional test of the process via genotype driven selection with a focus on improving trait outcomes and reducing breeding time horizons. Ultimately findings and products from the collaboration will be presented to stakeholders and we will work with interested parties in integrating the approach to current bee breeding operations.
Approach:
The SY PI will work closely with the Cooperator to recruit and train the graduate student who will work with both SY PI and Cooperator to collect and compile necessary samples and related phenotype data, conduct genetic analyses, and execute functional test of outcomes via breeding for a novel experimental population. The SY PI will provide expertise in honey bee biology and genetics, facilitate use of target populations, and provide access to beekeeping equipment and research facilities maintained at the Unit. The SY PI will work with the student to develop functional application of genomic selection outcomes alongside instrumental insemination methods to arrive at a target breeding population that can be eventually disseminated as a deliverable to beekeepers. In addition SY PI and student will provide a case use pipeline for the application fo genomic selection in already existing honey bee breeding operations.