We now know that high-resolution molecular methods provide a straightforward means for detecting potential negative effects of insecticides on pollinator health. 

Molecular testing involves rapid small-scale experiments that provide highly detailed measurements of insect health. In short, for 10 days, insects are exposed to a candidate insecticide compound or to a control.  Subsequently messenger RNA is extracted from key tissues such as the brain and muscle. The extracted messenger RNA is then sent off for sequencing. By counting millions messenger RNA molecules, this measures how much of each gene is being used in each tissue. Rigorous analyses then make it possible to compare activity levels of each gene in each tissue between the individuals that have been exposed to the  insecticide compound with those that haven’t.

The molecular laboratory processes can largely be automated using robots, the data analysis approach is straightforward, and costs for both continue to decrease. 

Detailed testing protocols are available from the link below: