Science created a shocking red-eye mutant bee

If one day you suddenly see the red-eyed bees, especially in the Southern California region, don't be too surprised, panicked, they are just sudden bees that University scientists California, Riverside created only.

Accordingly, scientists at the University of California, Riverside have experimented using the technique of cutting CRISPR genes on small insects that specifically bees. The result is a mutant red-eyed bee.

Specifically, CRISPR gene cutting technique allows scientists to directly inject a genetic object created to find and rewrite a specific DNA code. Researchers at UCR have used this technology to break down the eye pigment control genes.

'We want to target a specific eye pigment gene target, just remove that basic pigment, the bees will immediately have red eyes after birth. This is the result of gene disruption ' , - Omar Akbari, an assistant professor of entomology, said in a statement.

CRISPR gene cutting technique requires skilled, extremely high genetic level. Bees hold eggs in the lobe of the intestine, scientists must use invasive techniques with egg bags inside the host's body. Egg bags in bees are usually small in size, only one bean, each egg is one-fourth of that of a grain of rice.

Akbari said: " Basically, you just need to pull out a small target egg, inject it into the ingredients to transform the DNA according to the technique of slicing CRISPR gene and bring it back to the egg bag for it to grow."

This research has just been published on Scientific Reports. And most likely based on the genetically engineered CRISPR gene cutting technique, generations of later bees can easily develop red-eye species.

In new experiments in the future, Akbari and his colleagues want to perform experiments involving genetic coding of other genes in bees, especially the mechanism of body transformation from male to female. some species. Researchers hope that, with the current level of medical science, science can easily control pests that destroy crops and spread diseases.