Engineered Superfoods Boost Bee Colony Reproduction - Mirage News

University of Oxford researchers have developed an engineered yeast-based supplement that could address honeybee population decline by providing essential nutrients missing from artificial pollen substitutes.

Climate change and intensive agriculture have reduced floral diversity, forcing beekeepers to use nutritionally incomplete commercial feeds lacking crucial sterols that bees need for development. The research team used CRISPR gene editing to engineer Yarrowia lipolytica yeast to produce six key sterols identified in bee tissue analysis. Three-month feeding trials showed remarkable results for colony health and reproduction.

• Colonies fed sterol-enriched yeast produced up to 15 times more viable larvae compared to control groups
• Enhanced colonies continued brood production throughout the study period while others ceased after 90 days
• The supplement created sterol profiles in larvae matching those found in naturally foraged colonies
• Technology could potentially reduce competition between managed and wild bees for limited pollen resources