Exploring methods to treat virus infection in honey bees using in vitro and in vivo systems

Insects make an essential contribution to the pollination of crops and wild plants. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are an excellent generalist insect pollinator offering a mobile pollination service to complement pollination by wild species. Global honey bee colony losses have been rising in recent years. Whilst the causes of the bee health crisis are multifactorial, there is growing realisation of the impact of viral pathogens.

Cell lines are powerful tools for the study of insect and tick viruses clarifying host range, identifying novel treatments, reducing animal usage and investigating virus virulence. The Tick Cell Biobank is currently developing novel hymenopteran cell lines that will be available to the student. This work will complement BBSRC research focusing on emerging honey bee viruses, BBSRC-funded work to establish insect cell lines, and work funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to help develop tools for the development of future honey bee medicines.

The student will investigate the mechanisms of host response to virus challenge across three research areas. First, the student will characterise endogenous viruses (EV) present in selected arthropod cell lines using established protocols. The student will then contrast the ability of these EV to modulate the host cell response to challenge by different virus families, to determine the role of EV in cellular mechanisms of innate immunity. Second, the student will investigate antiviral treatments for bees using cell culture systems coupled with traditional bee ecotoxicology studies to determine the effective safe concentrations of antiviral compounds. The student will determine how treatment can impact virus transmission and model the likely epidemiological outcomes of treatment. Finally, the student will investigate how honey bee progeny respond to virus challenge given the historic virus exposure of their queen.

Whom are we looking for? The project is suitable for a Biologist, Entomologist or Virologist with an interest in obtaining a range of skills from cell culture, molecular biology through to handling live insects i.e both in vitro and in vivo systems. As a CASE studentship with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, this studentship will particularly attract scientists who are interested in solving applied problems. We will train the student in a range of transferable skills including cell culture, microscopy, RNAi gene knockdown, quantitative RT-PCR, targeted and non-targeted sequencing, statistics, modelling and coding in R. We will also encourage the student to interact with potential beneficiaries of the work including beekeepers and those who form bee health policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be made by emailing [Email Address Removed] with a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees), and a covering letter – clearly stating your first choice project, and optionally 2nd and 3rd ranked projects, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s) and at the selected University. Applications not meeting these criteria will be rejected.
In addition to the CV and covering letter, please email a completed copy of the Additional Details Form (Word document) to [Email Address Removed]. A blank copy of this form can be found at: https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply.
Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]