While many natural elements go unnoticed around us, within them lie the answers to important ecological and genetic puzzles. It is precisely that invisible, yet extremely significant dimension of nature that is being explored by the scientists of the Ruđer Bošković Institute – dr. sc. Katja Magdić Košiček and dr. sc. Eva Šatović Vukšić. Their projects, financed by the Adris Foundation, bring innovative approaches to the study of the environment and genetic diversity, utilizing seemingly ordinary organisms such as bees, mussels, and insects.

Honey and mussels: natural witnesses of environmental conditions

On Pelješac, one of the most beautiful Croatian peninsulas and also a favored summer accommodation destination, a unique scientific experiment is taking place that connects the terrestrial and marine worlds. Through a project named “Mussels and honey as bioindicators of the radioactivity of the marine and terrestrial environment”, dr. Magdić Košiček uses bees and mussels as instruments for collecting data on the presence of radionuclides in nature.

While bees tirelessly fly from flower to flower collecting nectar, they also bring microscopic particles that settle in the honey – a product that becomes a kind of time record of the environmental condition. Honey contains traces of natural radionuclides such as polonium, but it can also reveal the presence of artificial substances such as radioactive caesium, whose origin is exclusively linked to human activity, including industrial accidents like Chernobyl or Fukushima.

On the other hand, mussels that live in clean or polluted marine environments filter vast amounts of seawater while also retaining harmful substances. Their role in this research is equally valuable as it enables scientists to gain insight into the level of sea pollution, including the presence of heavy metals and radioactive elements. Mussels become a kind of guardians of the sea, silent witnesses to the quality of the marine environment.

The research conducted by the IRB team not only provides local insight into the ecological condition of Pelješac, but also lays the foundation for broader national monitoring of the environmental state. The scientific team emphasizes that monitoring both natural and artificial radioactivity is extremely important, especially in the context of global geopolitical events that increase the risk of ecological incidents.

Yellow mealworm: an insect with a double face and a genomic secret

In the laboratories of the IRB, another team of researchers has focused their attention on a significantly less visible, yet equally intriguing organism – the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Although known as a storage pest, this insect is gaining increasing importance as a source of protein in the diet of animals, and even humans. The European Union officially approved its use for food purposes in 2022, opening a new dimension of research for scientists.

Under the leadership of dr. Šatović Vukšić, a project entitled “Illuminating the roles of ‘dark matter’ in the functioning of the genome of the economically important insect pest Tenebrio molitor” explores unknown parts of the genome of this insect. It concerns the so-called satellite DNA (satDNA), segments of genetic material whose role is not fully elucidated, but which are suspected to play a key role in genome regulation, especially under stress conditions and during the organism’s development.

The genome of the yellow mealworm functions as a vast library in which most of the information has a known function, yet there exists a whole array of “hidden books” that scientists have yet to decipher. These hidden genetic sequences could provide answers to questions about how organisms adapt to changes in the environment, how they evolutionarily respond to stress, and how they manage their developmental processes.

Mealworms are easy to breed, reproduce quickly, and have a short life cycle, making them ideal models for genetic research. Additionally, due to their increasing commercial importance, understanding their biology and genetic basis is crucial for sustainable development in agriculture, the food industry, and ecology.

The fusion of ecology and genetics: a look into the future of science

The scientific insights derived from these projects not only enrich the academic community, but also bring concrete benefits to society. Whether it is about more precise monitoring of ecological threats or enhancing food security, the results of this research have the potential for long-term impact.

The growing number of tourists choosing to stay on Pelješac during spring and summer might unknowingly be staying in one of the most explored natural laboratories in Croatia. Besides enjoying the beauty of nature and the clean sea, they are staying in an area where science daily uncovers new secrets of nature.

These projects illustrate how even the smallest organisms – whether they are mussels, bees, or tiny insects – can carry an enormous amount of data useful for understanding the world around us. By combining ecological and molecular science, the IRB teams are building bridges towards a sustainable future, where nature and science will work in synergy.