RECOMBINATION OF BACULOVIRUS DNA FOLLOWING LIPOFECTION OF INSECT LARVAE

By injection of a liposomal complex containing baculovirus DNA directl y into the hemocoel of insect larvae a polyhedrosis disease was induce d. After cotransfection of insect larvae with circular viral DNA and t ransfer vector DNA recombinant viruses were generated with a frequency of about 2%, similar to what is obtained in vitro using insect cell c ultures. Based on these results an alternative strategy for the genera tion of recombinants can be derived for baculoviruses for which suscep tible cell lines are not readily available. This strategy involves the injection of baculovirus DNA into susceptible larvae followed by in v ivo cloning.