Baculoviruses, specific to arthropods, have a dual-form lifecycle and are used in biological pest control and biotechnology. The Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS) is crucial for producing recombinant proteins, with advancements by Invitrogen simplifying this process. Their applications extend to gene therapy, protein engineering, and vaccine production, with safety protocols ensuring responsible research practices.
Show More
Baculoviruses are a genus of viruses that infect arthropods, have large circular DNA genomes, and have two distinct forms: budded virus and occlusion-derived virus
Agricultural Pest Control
Baculoviruses were first discovered in the late 19th century and have been used as a natural method for controlling agricultural pests, with successful applications in the United States in 1911
Biotechnology and Gene Expression
Baculoviruses have expanded their role from pest management to biotechnology, particularly in gene expression systems, making them a popular choice for producing recombinant proteins
The BEVS is a widely used method for producing high levels of proteins in insect cells, involving the baculovirus DNA, a transfer vector, and insect host cells
The amplification of baculoviruses is a crucial step in the baculovirus expression system, involving recombination, plaque assays, isolation, and amplification for various applications
Amplified baculoviruses are used for large-scale production of proteins for vaccines, therapeutic enzymes, and as environmentally friendly pest control agents, as well as for gene therapy and biopesticide development
Biosafety Level 1 Agent
Baculoviruses are classified as a Biosafety Level 1 agent and require basic laboratory safety measures, including personal protective equipment, sterile techniques, and proper waste disposal
Contributions to Biological Research
Baculoviruses have made significant contributions to various areas of biological research, including gene therapy, structural biology, and nanotechnology
Future Directions and Advancements
Efforts are focused on enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of baculovirus expression systems for protein production and gene therapy applications, as well as exploring directed evolution techniques and gene editing tools
00
______, a genus in the ______ family, are known for infecting ______, particularly insects.
Baculoviruses
Baculoviridae
arthropods
01
The term 'Baculovirus' is derived from 'baculum', a Latin word meaning '______', which reflects the shape of the virions in some species.
rod
02
First successful baculovirus application in the US
1911, nucleopolyhedrovirus used against Gypsy moth caterpillar
