Research Projects

Understanding the evolutionary processes and the molecular basis that have driven the phenotypic differentiation among populations is one of the major current questions in biology.

Chromosomal rearrangements such as inversions can be linked to spectacular phenotypes, providing the basis for important consequences of adaptation. In East Africa, populations of the honey bee Apis mellifera live in the mountain forest (denoted as A.m. monticola) and clearly differ in behavior (i.e. foraging ecology and aggression) and morphology from those inhabiting the surrounding lowland savannahs (A. m. scutellata). In cooperation with  Prof. Ricarda Scheiner (Universität Würzburg) and colleagues from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania we investigate the molecular genetic of adaptation to high elevation.

We take advantage of modern technologies (genome sequencing, CRISP-Cas9, RFID), to decipher genetic differentiations, the function of candidate genes and specific behavior traits.

The project is funded by the DFG (HA5499/11-1).

Mitochondria are involved in several organismic key processes; hence the in-depth characterization of mtDNA haplotypes and mt gene expression in hens with efficient P utilization and myo-inositol metabolism is of utmost importance. Myo-inositol is known to modulate mitochondrial functionality by so far unknown mechanisms related to autophagy and mitophagy.

In the proposed project we will obtain whole mitochondrial genome haplotypes for two distinct strains of laying. This approach determines potential mutations that arose during the genetic selection process in laying hens affecting key enzyme activities. To test for mt gene expression differences among distinct haplotypes, tissue and developmental-specific quantitative (q) PCR experiments will be performed. We combine our data with those of genome analyses obtained in other projects of the Research Unit to find associations of interacting loci depending on the nuclear background.

Thus, we will gain comprehensive insights into the functional importance of mitochondria in respect to Putilization and myo-inositol metabolism in hens.

DFG Forschergruppe P-FOWL (FOR 2601)

This project aims to establish new diagnostic methods for potentially invasive beetle species, which can occur within plant health control. These methods include classical morphological determination keys for microscopic identification of beetles and their larvae, as well as molecular methods (PCR).

In addition, new methods for the molecular analysis of populations of certain beetle species will be developed. This will allow to compare individuals and populations of beetles from different infested areas and to trace probable invasions of these species, e.g.  the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis).

This research project intends to prevent risks for plant health issues in Germany and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The varroa mite (Varroa destructor) belongs to the major threat of colonies of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) worldwide. A sustainable approach to control the mite population in a honey bee colony is by breeding varroatolerant honey bees. In the SETBie project beekeepers, beekeeper associations and various university institutions are working together to breed and establish a varroa tolerant honey bees in Baden-Württemberg via the behavioural trait Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH). Bee colonies with this trait specifically remove varroa infested brood cells and thus reduce the mite density within a colony.

The project SETBie investigates the breeding trait VSH from genetic, methodological and beekeeping aspects. 

Honey and bumble bees belong to the most important pollinators worldwide. The fitness of their colonies can be directly affected by the amount of nucleotide variation that exist in populations (e.g. by the number of different sex alleles and thus the proportion of diploid males with zero or reduced fitness). Less honey and bumble bees result in a loss of biodiversity in wild flora due to the insufficient pollination of many entomophile plants. Hence, of special interest for us is to understand the population dynamics of sex alleles of honey and bumble bees. The identification and characterization of major key regulators for sexual development in candidate species are part of ongoing projects together with international colleagues.

As the most important pollinator in our cultural landscape, the honey bee is exposed to numerous environmental factors that affect their health. In recent years, microbial communities in the intestines of organisms (intestinal microbiota) have gained increasing importance against the background of a healthy and resistant immune system. There is still a lack of knowledge which components from the environment (e.g. pesticides, feed quality) interact with the microorganisms that weaken the immune system and thus the health of bees.

We investigate the composition and dynamics of the intestinal microbiota in the bee intestine and various pathogens (e.g. viruses) with modern technologies in order to contribute sustainably to the maintenance of healthy bees via beekeeping (cooperation with the State Institute for Apiculture, Peter Rosenkranz).

As part of cooperation with the Brazilian Universidad Federal de Amazonas, Manaus, coordinated by Carlos Gustavo Nunez Silva and funded by CAPES, we are sequencing and analyzing the genome of the stingless bee Melipona compressipes. This species, among other stingless bees, is wide spread distributed in the brazilian rain forest areas and has high economic importance.

The evolution of eusociality belongs to a major transition in evolution. Several newly sequenced genomes and transcriptoms of bees species differing in social complexity provide the basis for comparative evolutionary studies. This work is part of a cooperative effort together with international colleagues, leaded by Karen Kapheim and Gene Robinson.