Cytotechnology
20:
vii, 1996. vii
Special Issue
Preface
The remarkable growth and application of insect cell culture research during the past decade has been driven by
several biotechnological advances. Of greatest significance was the development in the 1980’s of the application of
recombinant DNA technology to express cloned genes in insect host cells. The emergence of the baculovirus-insect
cell system as a versatile gene expression tool resulted from intensive and elegant studies on the molecular biology
of baculoviruses, and the establishment of new insect cell culture systems which supported high levels of protein
expression. The baculovirus expression system has not only become an important tool for research, but is now
accepted as an important technology for the commercialization of products for use in agriculture and human health.
Insect cell cultures fundamental and applied aspects provides a comprehensive review of the major advances
in insect cell culture research. The book is divided into five sections which systematically approach the topic,
from the basic principles of cell culture technology through the concomitant economic and regulatory issues that
are important aspects of the commercialization of bio-based products. All chapters in this volume are written by
the foremost authorities in the field who have contributed original research in insect cell and molecular biology,
chemical engineering, and baculovirology. The first part is devoted to an in-depth review of basic insect cell culture
and cell biology with chapters on new advances in transgenic cells and novel media formulations. Part two presents
an exceptionally lucid survey of the molecular biology of baculoviruses and their development as expression vectors.
These introductory virus chapters are followed by specialized topics on the expression of recombinant proteins
and their posttranslational modification. Part three, devoted to review chapters on the application of bioengineering
principles for the scale-up of insect cell culture, also discusses the differences between invertebrate and vertebrate
cell culture and the impact of cell bioreactor design, shear force concerns, nutrient and oxygen requirements that are
specific for insect cells. Parts four and five detail examples of specific commercial products produced in insect cell
systems. The book concludes with an exhaustive consideration of the economic and regulatory issues that have to be
considered by industry and government agencies. The topics discussed are interrelated through a focus on the insect
cell culture-baculovirus system and the prominent role it plays in basic biological research and biotechnology.
The book benefits from clear and precise writing throughout. All chapters are well documented with figures,
illustrations, and comprehensive bibliographies. This authoritative volume will serve as a standard information
resource on insect cell culture. The book will become the benchmark reference manual for students and researchers
in academia and government laboratories requiring information on how insect cell systems are being applied in
basic research and biotechnology applications. In particular this treatise will be an invaluable source of knowledge
to industrial scientists who are applying the baculovirus-cell culture systems for commercial purposes.
Robert R. Granados
Ithaca, New York
March, 1996