| 研究課題/領域番号 |
18H02216
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| 研究機関 | 沖縄科学技術大学院大学 |
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研究代表者 |
ミケェエヴ アレクサンダー 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 生態・進化学ユニット, 准教授 (90601162)
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| 研究期間 (年度) |
2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
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| キーワード | parasites / mites / viruses / honey bees / coevolution |
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| 研究実績の概要 |
We have acquired almost all of the data proposed for project -- an extensive collection of Varroa mites around the world. We have developed methods for extracting DNA and RNA for sequencing form these specimens, and have sequenced DNA from about 2/3 of the samples already. We recently published reference genomes for the Varroa parasites (Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni), which are invaluable references for the work we have still to complete. We have also published a well-received opinion paper, outlining the importance of Varroa coevolution in the bee-Varroa interaction. Previously, Varroa was believed to be largely clonal, and as such a static partner in the interaction, but we argue that this is not the case.
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| 現在までの達成度 (区分) |
現在までの達成度 (区分)
1: 当初の計画以上に進展している
理由
This project was greatly aided by JSPS postdoctoral funding for Maeva Techer, who has spearheaded sample collection and established international networks necessary for this project to go forward. As a result, we were able to obtain all of the necessary material well ahead of schedule. She was also able to prepare all of the libraries for sequencing. As a result, we expect that the data acquisition component of this study will be done in the next month, maximally two. In addition to the published manuscript, we have two manuscripts in advanced drafts, to be submitted on the scale of weeks.
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| 今後の研究の推進方策 |
In the next few months we will finish sequencing the DNA for all the Varroa mites collected (over 1000), and ~300 RNA libraries. The rest of the time will be spent analyzing the data and preparing manuscripts for publication. The DNA libraries will be used for tracing Varroa’s spread worldwide, and to understand how it evolves in response to different honey bee populations and human selection pressures. The RNA libraries will be used to trace the spread and evolution of viruses, the proximal causes of honey bee declines. We are working on two manuscripts: (1) Understanding the demographics associated with host switches in honey bee parasites. (2) A toolkit for studying Varroa genomics and transcriptomics: preservation, extraction and sequencing library preparation. The former is a major scientific paper, while the latter will be a widely useful methodological paper for other workers in the field.
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