Course: Research Methods of Apidology

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Course title Research Methods of Apidology
Course code KBC/VMA
Organizational form of instruction Exercise
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Žvátorová Zuzana, Mgr.
  • Danihlík Jiří, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Dostálková Silvie, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Janků Martina, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Partial tasks include preparation of biological material - bees, bee tissues or bee products for biochemical analysis. The preparation involves maintaining bees in laboratory and inducing stress reactions. In the next step, students apply their knowledge from many scientific fields, as they will focus on the biochemical analysis of parameters of immune reactions, physiological processes, antioxidant reactions and others. Students will use chromatographic, electromigration, immunochemical, molecular biological and other methods for the analysis of partial immune or physiological pathways, for example the detection of factors of humoral immunity, determination the damage by oxidative stress, diagnosis of diseases by microbiological techniques, etc. The course also focuses on the analysis of bee products, students will try common methods for determining the composition and quality of bee products, eg. honey. Syllabus 1) In vitro maintaining bees and larvae and induction of stress reactions 2) Analysis of humoral components of immunity 3) Quantification of lipid damage 4) Detection of bee pathogens 5) Analysis of honey quality 6) Antimicrobial activity of bee products Teaching implementation: Teaching will take place in blocks after the end of the summer semester in the range of approximately 2 calendar weeks. Unfortunately, it is not possible to increase the capacity (12 participants) of the subject above the set limit.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Laboratory Work
  • Semestral Work - 3 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 1 hour per semester
  • Attendace - 80 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Students will be introduced to selected methods used in the study of the honey bee and bee products in the biochemical laboratory. Students will practice these methods on real samples of bees, their tissues or bee products. The aim of the course is to analyze the manifestations of stress reactions on the physiological, immune and other reactions of the bee organism while methods commonly used in research will be applied. The analysis of bee products will focus on the application of knowledge about bee products and the possibilities of their biological-chemical analysis or analysis of their quality.
Define the main terms, describe the main approaches and methods used in bee research.
Prerequisites
Completion of the course KBC/MZV Molecular basics of beekeeping

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Final Report

100% Participation in lectures Theoretical preparation for the given topic - from the provided materials Successful completion of the course KBC/MZV Molecular basics of beekeeping
Recommended literature
  • Bankova, V., Bertelli, D., Borba, R., Conti, B. J., da Silva Cunha, I. B., Danert, C.. Zampini, C. (2016). Standard methods for Apis mellifera propolis research. Journal of Apicultural Research, 1-49. doi:10.1080/00218839.2016.1222661.
  • Bogdanov, S., Martin, P., Lullmann, C., Borneck, R., Flamini, C., Morlot, M.. Ivanov, T. (1997). Harmonised methods of the European Honey Commission. 28, 1-59.
  • Carreck, N. L., Andree, M., Brent, C. S., Cox-Foster, D., Dade, H. A., Ellis, J. D.. Vanenglesdorp, D. (2013). Standard methods for Apis mellifera anatomy and dissection. Journal of Apicultural Research, 52(4). doi:10.3896/ibra.1.52.4.03.
  • Dietemann, V., Ellis, J. D., & Neumann, P. (Eds.). (2013). COLOSS beebook (Volume I, Standard methods for Apis mellefera research). Northern Bee Books.
  • Dietemann, V., Ellis, J. D., & Neumann, P. (Eds.). (2013). COLOSS beebook (Volume II, Standard methods for Apis mellifera pest and pathogen research). Northern Bee Books.
  • Hartfelder, K., Bitondi, M. M. G., Brent, C. S., Guidugli-Lazzarini, K. R., Simoes, Z. L. P., Stabentheiner, A. . Wang, Y. (2013). Standard methods for physiology and biochemistry research in Apis mellifera. Journal of Apicultural Research, 52(1). doi:10.3896/ibra.1.52.1.06.
  • Williams, G. R., Alaux, C., Costa, C., Csaki, T., Doublet, V., Eisenhardt, D.. Brodschneider, R. (2013). Standard methods for physiology and biochemistry research in Apis mellifera. Journal of Apicultural Research, 52(1).


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biochemistry (2022) Category: Chemistry courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biochemistry (2022) Category: Chemistry courses 3 Recommended year of study:3, Recommended semester: Summer