Baculovirus expression vectors

Patent Pending Baculovirus, a rod-shaped virus which infect insect cells, is used as the expression vector in this system. Insect cell lines derived from Lepidopterans (moths and butterflies), such as Spodoptera frugiperda, are used as host. The shuttle vector is called bacmid, and protein expression is under the control of a strong promoter pPolh.[19] It is normally used for production of glycoproteins, although the glycosylations may be different from those found in vertebrates. It is safer to use than mammalian virus as it has a limited host range and does not infect vertebrates.