Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

The National Bee Diagnostic Centre - Technology Access Centre (NBDC-TAC) is a unique state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated exclusively to the identification and quantification of pathogens affecting bee species. In recent years, beekeepers have been reporting higher than normal overwinter stock losses, averaging 28.6% in 2013 at a cost to the industry of more than $30 million.The NBDC-TAC provides diagnostic services and performs applied research to tackle the problems generated by pathogens, which compromise honey bee well-being and productivity. Currently the Centre can identify and quantify the presence of critical pathogens namely Nosema and viruses. With the NSERC-ARTI funded cryostat and confocal fluorescence microscope the Centre is now able to determine where the pathogens are located within the bee, and for Nosema, whether or not the spores were alive or dead. This information will allow effective evaluation of disease treatments. The new equipment will also be used to perform tissue/organ (co)-localization of single and multiple covert (without symptoms) and overt (with symptoms) viral infections. This, used in combination with viral load quantification by real-time PCR, will generate a better knowledge of disease co-infections and interactions within the Canadian beekeeping industry. The equipment perfectly complements NBDC-TAC diagnostic services and its applied research agenda.The new equipment will enhance the NBDC-TAC's ability to train college and university students in the use of specialized equipment not previously available within the Peace Country. This will enable students to acquire technically demanding skills useful in their future endeavours. The equipment will enable new research collaborations with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provincial government departments and industry organizations.The NBDC-TAC is operated by GPRC in partnership with AAFC- Beaverlodge Research Farm.