Author
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LYNN, DWIGHT |
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Submitted to: International Organization for Biological Control
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 7/25/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Development of insect cell lines has become a routine process since T.D.C. Grace first established lines from the lepidopteran Antherea pernii in 1962. Within ten years, over 60 insect cell lines had been established and several of the lepidopteran lines had been used to replicate insect viruses, especially nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. Unfortunately, these early successes did not immediately translate into a commercial method for producing biopesticides. While the field of insect cell culture continued to flourish through the 1970's and 80's (by 1989 over 400 lines had been established from insects), the field received it's greatest stimulation with the development of the baculovirus expression vectors (BEVs). The work on gypsy moth at our lab in the 1980's led to the development of several new cell lines from embryos and one from fat body. The fat body line in particular was substantially better at producing gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus than previously available cell lines and was closely examined by industry as a tool for producing the virus as a biopesticide. Also in the 1980's, several media manufacturers developed serum-free insect cell culture media for use in BEV systems. Subsequent efforts have been made to replace expensive components of these media for use in biopesticide productions. The history and current status of insect cell culture in the commercialization of insect viruses will be discussed. |
