Uncovering the Potential of Viruses with a New Bioprospecting Technique
A new bioprospecting technique has uncovered two previously unknown viruses that are deadly to honeybees. The discovery, published in the journal Nature, is the first of its kind to use bioprospecting, the process of searching for natural products with potential uses in medicine, agriculture, and other industries. The technique, developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, uses a combination of DNA sequencing and computer algorithms to identify viruses that are specific to honeybees. The two viruses, Apis mellifac virus 2 and 3, are lethal to honeybees, and can cause up to 90% mortality in infected hives. The discovery of these viruses highlights the importance of bioprospecting for uncovering new and potentially dangerous pathogens. The researchers hope that their technique will help to identify other viruses and bacteria that could potentially threaten honeybee populations and the ecosystems they inhabit.
source: Phys.org