Production of entomopathogenic viruses

Of all the Entomopathogenic Viruses, baculoviruses show the most potential to control lepidopteran pests on crops by far. Many baculoviruses produced in vivo have found commercial success on a range of crops. However wider use of these highly specific, safe and environmentally sustainable biopesticides is likely, if they can be produced in vitro using readily scalable cell culture processes. In this presentation the status of knowledge related to baculovirus infections of cells in culture is reviewed, in relation to the cell lines used, the media required to grow the cells and the genetic stability and yield of the viruses following in vitro infections. HearNPV is used as a case study to indicate that at current yields an in vitro production process is feasible at the 10,000 L bioreactor scale, however further work required to resolve quality control issues to do with production are discussed. The application of systems biology to improve yields further to make commercialization more attractive is also addressed.