中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)是中国特有的蜂种资源，嗅觉发达，具有抗螨能力强、耐（抗）低温和善于采集零散蜜源等特性。中华蜜蜂所表现的上述优异种质特性与其具有发达的嗅觉系统密切相关，但是目前为止还没有从分子水平揭示中华蜜蜂嗅觉发达的机理。基于此，本项目拟在高通量测序获得中蜂基因组数据的基础上，采用转录组技术，结合生物信息学方法筛选中华蜜蜂嗅觉受体基因家族；并进一步采用荧光定量PCR和RNA-seq技术研究嗅觉受体基因在不同蜂种、相同蜂种不同级型、不同分工的中华蜜蜂间的表达时空性及其调控网络；利用RNA干扰技术及蛋白质芯片技术分析重要嗅觉受体基因功能及受体间的分子互作，以期明确中华蜜蜂优异种质特性的分子机理，为保护中华蜜蜂珍贵种质资源、提高蜜蜂抗病虫特性、选育优良蜜蜂品种奠定基础。

Asian honeybee (Apis cerana cerana) is the local honeybee in China. The species is known for its well-developed olfactory system, mite resistance, long-ranged temperature tolerance and excellent ability of scattered and non-uniform flowing nectar collection. The excellent performance and characteristics of this germplasm is one way or the other closely related to its developed olfactory system. However, up to date, the mechanism of its well-developed olfactory system in Apis cerana cerana is not revealed at the molecular level. Based on the next generation sequencing techniques, transcriptomics and bioinformatics, our project intends to focus on the cloning of the olfactory system responsible genes and analysis of their functions. Furthermore, the project will compare the expression of the genes between different honeybee species, different castes and different labor divisions of worker bees in a colony by using Real Time PCR. Gene functions will be identified through RNA interference techniques. Moreover, protein-protein interactions among olfactory receptor molecules shall be studied using protein chips technologies. In nut shell, the project is intended to yield qualified information sets on the molecular mechanisms and characteristics of olfactory responsible and related genes in Apis cerana cerana. The project will also lay a foundation on the potentials of future protection and proper utilization through better understanding of this very important germplasm and proposing important recommendations for further breeding and genetics based species improvement mechanisms.