Why is this research important to Alberta?

• Alberta beekeepers face persistently high colony losses. Current diagnostic approaches cannot reliably detect the early, sub-lethal effects of agrochemical exposure before colonies begin to decline.
• Healthy honeybees are essential to honey production, crop pollination, food security, rural livelihoods, and a resilient agricultural economy in Alberta.
• By using existing genomic data to develop early-warning indicators of agrochemical stress, this research supports provincial and national priorities in sustainable agriculture, pollinator health, genomics innovation, and evidence-based solutions that strength long-term agricultural resilience.

What is the goal of this work? How will genomics be used?

• The main objective is to identify early biological indicators of agrochemical stress in honeybee colonies and improve our understanding of how beneficial gut bacteria respond to chemical exposure.
• The team will develop microbial signatures for exposure to 17 commonly used agricultural chemicals and identify novel RNA-based molecular sensors (riboswitches) that may serve as future biomarkers for agrochemical stress.
• Existing large-scale genomic datasets from 17 agrochemical exposures will be analyzed to identify unique and shared biological responses, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how agrochemicals affect the bee gut microbiome.
• The project combines expertise in computational genomics, RNA biology, microbiome research, and honeybee health. Support from the Alberta Beekeepers Commission and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation will ensure the research addresses industry priorities.
• Genomic analysis will enable the development of more accurate diagnostic biomarkers and the identification of riboswitches provide a novel approach to developing future field-based diagnostics and targeted interventions.

What are the expected benefits, and how will the research findings be shared?

• Earlier detection of agrochemical stress will support healthier honeybee colonies, helping protect Alberta’s honey industry, strengthen crop pollination services, and improve the long-term resilience of the agricultural sector.
• The project will deliver:
  • a Diagnostic Microbiome Signature Panel,
  • a Stress-Responsive Microbial Gene and Function Database, and
  • an RNA-Based Regulatory Target Resource to support future diagnostics, healthier pollinator populations, and more secure food production.
• Findings will be shared through scientific publications, open-access resources, and ongoing engagement with beekeepers, agricultural organizations, and government partners to support evidence-based policies, management practices, and bee health initiatives across Alberta and Canada.

Related Resources

Findings or more information can be accessed through:

• Project team website: https://thecobralab.com
• Research publication: Neonicotinoid-induced signature dysbiosis identified via metagenomic sequencing of the honey bee gut microbiome
• Canadian Bee Microbiome dataset: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/?term=PRJNA1006316