This book focuses on those virus families that are found primarily or exclusively in insects, covering all major families of insect-selective viruses except for the baculoviruses which were described in a previous volume of "The Viruses" series. The topics include: the large DNA viruses; the small DNA densoviruses; the RNA viruses; and, the arbovirus expression systems and their potential employment in the future. Ninety-eight illustrations supplement the text.

The past decade has witnessed an explosion of information on the molecular biology of insect viruses and a frenzy of activity in applying this information to medicine and agriculture. Genetically engineered baculoviruses are presently being tested for commercial use as pesticides, and the study of such viruses is also revealing remarkable insights into basic cellular processes such as apoptosis. This comprehensive volume provides readers with knowledge of basic and applied baculovirology so that current literature in the field can be appreciated.

There are over a million different species of insects, and individually they 8 outnumber humans by more than 10 to 1. Moreover, some insects live in close association with both plants and higher animals and naturally exchange viruses with them. It has even been speculated that viruses in general may have radiated through the plant and animal kingdoms from common insect origins. Be that as it may, since insects play pivotal roles in the biosphere, both to the benefit and detriment of mankind, they and the viruses that infect them are important subjects for study. Insects are infected by a diverse medley of viruses, and this volume focuses on those insect virus families that are found primarily or exclusively in insects. All major families of insect-selective viruses are covered except for the baculo viruses, which were described in a separate volume of The Viruses series. Included in this volume are the established families of insect viruses, the newly recognized ascovirus family, and the nudiviruses, which probably represent a separate family but currently remain unclassified. The coverage of arboviruses is limited to a single chapter that focuses on their potential utility as vectors and in insect control. Omitted for practical reasons are several individual insect viruses that have been described sporadically in the literature and probably represent novel virus families.

The past decade has witnessed an explosion of information on the molecular biology of insect viruses and a frenzy of activity in applying this information to medicine and agriculture. Genetically engineered baculoviruses are presently being tested for commercial use as pesticides, and the study of such viruses is also revealing remarkable insights into basic cellular processes such as apoptosis. This comprehensive volume provides readers with knowledge of basic and applied baculovirology so that current literature in the field can be appreciated.

Baculoviruses have proven to be the most powerful and versatile eukaryotic expression vectors available. This unique laboratory manual is designed to help both beginning and experienced researchers construct and use baculovirus vector systems. It simplifies selection of the most appropriate baculovirus vector design for a given problem, then describes each step of the implementation process--from vector construction to large-scale protein production. The book provides an understanding of how the vectors work; a biological overview of cells, viruses, plasmids, and promoters; guidelines for choosing optimum vectors; protocols for growing insect cells and recombinant viruses; methods of analyzing protein products and scaling up protein production; techniques for producing proteins in insect larvae; and easy-to-use maps charting available expression vectors. This comprehensive approach has many benefits for researchers and students alike. It allows them to understand how and why the vector system works and offers a rapid comparison of options for choosing the right virus, plasmid or promoter for vector design and construction, with a minimum amount of lost time. The manual is an invaluable resource for every individual engaged in the production of proteins for any purpose.