ARS | Publication request: PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR THE BACULOVIRUS, NUCLEAR POLHYDRON VIRUS (NPV) (SISTEMAS DE PRODUCCION DE BACULOVIRUS DEL TIPO NUCLEOPOLIEDROVIRUS (NPV))

Submitted to: USDA Mexico International Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 24, 2003
Publication Date: December 1, 2003
Citation: Behle, R.W., Tamez-Guerra, P. 2003. Production systems for the baculovirus, nuclear polhydron virus (NPV). In: Galan-Wong, L.J., Elias-Santos, M., Tamez, P., Quintero-Ramirez, R., Quintero-Zapata, I. (Editors). Proceso Biotecnologicos, Primera Edicion. Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Chapter 8. p. 86-108.

Technical Abstract: Baculoviruses are a DNA-based microorganism that is capable of causing disease in insects. The range of susceptible hosts is narrow, making this microorganism a good candidate for selective control of economically important agricultural insect pests in some agronomic systems. Beyond the obvious use of baculovirus as a biological insecticide, modern scientific methods have developed sufficiently that baculovirus can be used as an economical production system for a wide range of protein base products. Most notable is the use of baculovirus production systems to make relatively large quantities of pharmaceutical products. Regardless of the final product, currently there are two methods for production of baculoviruses, in vitro and in vivo. These two general categories of production require distinctively different levels of technology. In vivo production requires relatively little modern technology contrasting to in vitro systems that are the result of new fermentation technology developments. Specific details concerning commercial production systems are typically treated as trade secrets. As a result, most of the virus production systems in use today have been developed to meet the specific needs of the individual, and the details of these systems are not published. Much of the information provided in this chapter is basic information about in vivo and in vitro production systems.