Enhancing Bee Immunity to Safeguard Ecosystems

The balance of our ecosystems teeters on the edge of crisis.
Worldwide, extinction rates are soaring to alarming levels.

Leaves, Butterfly, and Rhino silhouettes

Between
100x-1000x
Higher Than The
Natural Norm!

Human activities have amplified climate change, disrupting the
equilibrium and affecting those essential to maintaining harmony.

Some of Nature's Unsung Heroes!

Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee - Megachile rotundata

Bees play a pivotal role in their
ecosystems by pollinating numerous plants!

Efficient pollinators. Aiding in the reproduction of numerous plant species

They produce wax and honey products, bringing in economic prosperity for beekeepers and farmers.

Allowing more food and diversity
to be produced.

Increased fruit and seed yields providing more food for local fauna. Allow for the reproduction of certain plants

Enriching the environment with more
resources and places for nature to thrive

Create habitats, breeding spots, shelters, and more. Many species rely on the plant mass bees help grow

Some bees have been domesticated and provide
direct economical value in the
form of honey and wax!

They produce wax and honey products, bringing in economic prosperity for beekeepers and farmers.

Yet, bee populations worldwide
are in decline...

The Reasons?

Native-Introduced Bee Competition

Climate Change

Pesticides

Habitat Destruction

Vectors of Disease

Some illustrated pink bacteria with flagella or pili

Various Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens, and...

Varroa destructor

The deadly Varroa destructor mite feeds on the bodily fluids of honeybees

Deformed Wing Virus

DWV affects the formation of a honeybee's wings, rendering them unable to fly

Introducing... The Spillover Effect

The virus does not pose a direct impact to honey bees affecting bee farmers... But it also poses the risk to be spread in the environment by worker bees!

So, What If There Was a Vaccine for Bees?

A previous Finnish team has successfully harnessed transgenerational immune priming, bees natural immune system, to create the world's first bee vaccine! It combats bacteria and fungal infections, but it falls short against viruses.

Why not use that? Viruses lack the cell wall needed to generate immunity or be passed to future generations through TGIP

This is where
Synthetic Biology
can step in.

We've engineered a system enabling bacteria to mimic viruses,
leveraging the bee's natural immune system to combat them.

By doing this, we aim to reduce bee mortalities, strengthen their defense against mites and pathogens, and crucially, diminish viral loads in the environment.

Honey bees face challenges, but with ImmuniBee, we stand with them.

Join The Buzz to Learn More!