The molecular bases of division of labour in the beehive

Insect societies are a remarkable example of emerging biological complexity & one of the most successful life forms on earth. Our model, teh honeybee is also a pollinator of great economical & ecological significance. Very little is known, however, about the genes that underpin the social behaviour of these animals. This research will use novel behavioural assays and cutting edge methods of molecular & computational biology to identify the genes and gene networks underlying behaviour in the honeybee.