Kinga

Our bee research group has been operating within the Festetics Bioinnovation Group of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) for 10 years. In our activities, we combine classical beekeeping expertise with modern molecular biology and precision technology approaches. Our primary goal is to preserve the health status and genetic value of the Hungarian honey bee population.

Key Research and Breeding Pillars

• Mite Control – Lithium Chloride Research: A central element of our research is the development of alternative defense strategies against Varroa destructor. We conduct in-depth studies on the mechanism of action of lithium chloride (LiCl), its physiological effects on bees, and optimal application methods. Our objective is to establish an effective technological protocol and to uncover the genetic background behind the lithium’s mechanism of action.

• Precision Bee Breeding in collaboration with the Hungarian Carniolan Breeders Association: Working in close partnership with the Hungarian Carniolan Breeders Association (MKE), we focus on the genetic improvement of the domestic Carniolan honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) population. We coordinate a program that prioritizes outstanding production metrics alongside vitality and the purity of breed characteristics.

• Identification of the Sex-Determining Gene (csd): We provide the molecular biological foundation for our breeding work through the DNA-based analysis of the complementary sex determiner (csd) gene alleles. Utilizing High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS), we analyze the genetic diversity of the population, which is critical for avoiding inbreeding and maintaining the long-term viability of the colonies.

• Defense Against Invasive Species: We take an active role in the domestic monitoring of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) and in the development of protective technologies, such as radio-telemetry-based nest tracking.