2012- 21st Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Symposium

Session Time : 4/10/12 10:30 AM - 4/10/12 11:45 AM

Content Area : Biological Sciences

Poster Appointment: , -

Student Presenters :
Molli Katharine Hayworth Biology and Psychology

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
David Tarpy Entomology

Abstract Title : Effects of Propolis on Honeybee Immunity

Abstract :
Honeybee health has recently been threatened including an unexplainable loss of bees within colonies across the country. The harvesting of antimicrobial compounds (resins) from the environment and their incorporation into the social nest architecture as propolis is a relatively unexplored defense for honeybees against pathogens. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the antimicrobial activity of honeybees raised in different propolis environments and explore whether propolis environments increases the ability of honeybees to handle physiologic stressors. A 20 bee cup study (with variations of Nevada, North Dakota and no propolis) was performed. In each cup, there was a combination of two different feeding treatments (Lipopolysaccharides-LPS and sterile water). After 3 days, the bees were collected, and RNA was extracted for real-time PCR analysis to determine the levels of different immune genes present. Differences between cages will be discussed and conclusions will be drawn from these analyses.