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K-State Today

October 18, 2019

Division of Biology seminar speaker to present 'Honey bees in peril: An investigation of honey bee viral infection dynamics'

Submitted by Division of Biology

Carol Fassbinder-Orth, associate professor in the biology department at Creighton University, will deliver a seminar, "Honey bees in peril: an investigation of honey bee viral infection dynamics," at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in 221 Ackert Hall.

Fassbinder-Orth's research is focused on trying to understand the basis for Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, which has caused annual losses of up to 30% of managed honey bee colonies in the U.S. in the past decade. Honey bees provide irreplaceable benefits to agriculture through pollination of many important crops, and CCD is an imminent threat to global food production. While many factors likely contribute to CCD, infection of bees by viral pathogens is thought to be a strong contributing factor. Honey bees are often simultaneously infected with numerous viruses, but the effects of viral infection are complex and poorly understood. Fassbinder-Orth's research group has developed a model system to study viral infections in honey bees and their effects on bee health and behavior. She will present her group's latest results on this important topic.

Anyone interested in meeting with Fassbinder-Orth during her visit may contact Rollie Clem at rclem@k-state.edu