Honey bees are essential for producing many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that people eat every day

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded The University of Southern Mississippi $750,000 on September 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310) to investigate microRNA-mediated antiviral defense mechanisms in honey bees exposed to deformed wing virus.

The project will identify microRNAs that strengthen honey bee immune responses to viral infection, test whether these molecules reduce virus levels in laboratory conditions, and develop a safe delivery system to administer beneficial microRNAs to honey bees for evaluation under controlled conditions. The work addresses colony losses driven by deformed wing virus and aims to create environmentally responsible tools to improve honey bee health and strengthen pollination services essential to agriculture and food security.

Performance occurs in Hattiesburg, Mississippi through August 31, 2030.

By pollinating crops, they support global food production, healthy ecosystems, and the agricultural economy. In recent years, honey BEE colonies have experienced significant losses due to a combination of parasites, poor nutrition, pesticides, and diseases. One of the most damaging threats is deformed wing virus (DWV), which weakens bees, reduces colony survival, and contributes to colony collapse. This project will investigate how honey bees naturally defend themselves against viral infections. Specifically, we will study tiny molecules called micrornas that help control how genes are turned on and off during infection. By identifying micrornas that strengthen the bees' immune response, we hope to develop new ways to reduce viral infections without relying on traditional chemicals or antibiotics. The project will first identify important micrornas involved in the BEE's response to viral infection, then test whether these molecules can reduce virus levels in laboratory studies. Finally, we will develop a safe delivery system to administer beneficial micrornas to honey bees and evaluate its effectiveness under controlled conditions. The long-term goal is to create innovative, environmentally responsible tools that improve honey BEE health, strengthen colony survival, and help protect the pollination services that are essential for agriculture and food security.