SureScreen Scientifics, a UK-based science firm, is utilizing the power of DNA technology to aid the struggling bee population in the country. By employing DNA analysis, the company aims to unravel the enigmatic behaviors of these insects and potentially uncover new bee species.
Based in Morley, SureScreen Scientifics is at the forefront of commercial firms in the UK using DNA analysis to identify individual species of bees, as well as wasps and hornets, through the examination of carcasses, pupae, and other materials found in their nests.
Bees, including the cherished bumblebee, honeybees, and the approximately 250 species of solitary bees that comprise the UK population, have suffered greatly due to factors such as farming practices, pollution, climate change, and habitat loss.
Understanding the challenges faced by these vital pollinators heavily relies on the ability of ecologists to locate and identify individual insects, enabling them to monitor population trends. However, while some species are easily identifiable, others present more difficulties. Moreover, it is impossible to identify an insect if no carcass is available for examination.
This is where DNA analysis proves invaluable, as it can be applied not only to the insects themselves but also to materials recovered from their nests, including old pupae or larvae that failed to develop into mature bees. The same holds true for wasps and hornets, both of which offer crucial insights into the ecological health of the UK. Of particular concern is the Asian Hornet, an invasive species known for its voracious predation on honeybee colonies. If it were to establish itself in the UK, it could pose a significant threat to these colonies.
SureScreen Scientifics has already employed DNA and environmental DNA analysis to study various species, such as the Great Crested Newts, White-Clawed Crayfish, and bats. In a notable achievement, the company successfully identified two bee species, the Largeheaded Resin bee and the Orange-vented Mason Bee, from the remnants of pupae discovered in a wooden block previously used as a nest.
The process involves obtaining a sample, such as a bee’s leg or a section of its pupae, which is then broken down using a pestle and mortar. The sample is subjected to a series of liquid solutions to extract the DNA material contained within it. Further processing is performed to eliminate any impurities, resulting in pure DNA, which then undergoes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR amplifies the DNA present, allowing for genetic sequencing. The resulting species-specific DNA sequence is cross-referenced with other bee DNA sequences stored in an international database to accurately identify the species.
Chelsea Warner, a lab technician at SureScreen Scientifics and a self-proclaimed bumblebee enthusiast, is at the forefront of the company’s endeavors in insect DNA analysis. She hopes that this innovative approach will provide ecologists with a deeper understanding of bee behavior, distribution patterns, and survival mechanisms in the wild. Moreover, there is even the potential for the discovery of new and previously unknown bee species.
Having studied bees during her Masters degree in conservation biology at the University of Derby and actively volunteering with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Chelsea emphasizes the reliability of DNA analysis in identifying bee species. She highlights the advantage of not requiring an actual bee specimen to obtain evidence of its presence in the wild.
Chelsea shared her excitement for analyzing more bee samples, as well as those of wasps and hornets, in the future. She finds DNA analysis to be an immensely powerful technique, particularly in its potential to contribute to the preservation of the environment. She believes that by using DNA technology to understand how humans can aid bees and by potentially identifying new species yet to be discovered, their work could play a crucial role in safeguarding the environment for future generations.
SureScreen Scientifics also offers materials consultancy and testing services for manufacturing and the automotive supply chain. Additionally, their Neo Vos brand provides at-home gut and nutritional health test kits, which are analyzed by the company, with personalized recommendations subsequently provided to the customers.
As the challenges faced by bee populations continue to escalate, the utilization of DNA sequencing and analysis represents a promising avenue for scientific research and conservation efforts. The pioneering work conducted by SureScreen Scientifics in bee DNA analysis offers hope for a better understanding of bee populations, their behaviors, and effective strategies for their protection.
To further their research, SureScreen Scientifics encourages the submission of unidentified bee, wasp, or hornet carcasses, as well as other biological materials. This collaboration will shed more light on the populations and survival of these important insects.
