Sampling midwest BEE diversity for genomics -- cooperator will continue to develop genomic resources to improve pollinator health and will enact new objectives to measure single-cell genomics and…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded a $477,569 Cooperative Agreement to the University of Illinois on June 1, 2026, under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001) to develop genomic resources and conduct advanced molecular research on pollinator health, particularly honey bees.

The University of Illinois will identify key gene regulation traits important for pollinator behavior, apply single-cell and single-nuclei RNA and DNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic techniques to understand honey bee biology, employ CRISPR to study honey bee biology and health during prenatal development, and provide research and institutional support for pollinator research in the Midwestern agricultural ecosystem. Work is performed in Urbana, Illinois, with performance extending through July 31, 2027. The program supports research and development conducted in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service's in-house research programs, with peer review of proposals and a statutory maximum period of performance of five years.

Sampling midwest BEE diversity for genomics -- cooperator will continue to develop genomic resources to improve pollinator health and will enact new objectives to measure single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics in honey bees. Specific objectives include: 1) identify key gene regulation traits important for pollinator behavior. 2) use the latest single cell/single nuclei RNA and DNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic techniques to better understand the biology of honey bees. 3) use crispr to study honey BEE biology and health during prenatal development. 4) provide research and institutional support for pollinator research in the midwestern agricultural ecosystem.