Abstract: Method and apparatus for rearing insects is disclosed. Information concerning the physical and dietary needs of the insect as well as behavioral characteristics are utilized to maximize the number of larvae reared per unit surface area of diet and per unit of rearing area while minimizing the amount of labor and materials required. An enclosed rearing unit is provided which can be located within an appropriate environment for rearing the insects. There are three sections within the rearing unit: 1) a diet space, 2) a larval space, and 3) a frass space. The diet space includes an appropriate diet medium for the insects. The larval space is located below the diet space and includes a series of vertical partitions perpendicular to and in contact with or nearly in contact with the diet medium such that the insect larvae are able to disperse themselves over the partitions.

Abstract: Normally anchorage-dependent insect cell lines are adapted to replicate under suspension conditions by addition of heparin to the culture medium and selection for resulting suspension-tolerant cells.

Abstract: An insect cell line has been established and characterized, derived from embryonic tissue (BTI-TN-5B1-4, ATCC CRL 10859) of Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper). The line is susceptible to various baculoviruses, including TnSNPV and AcMNPV, and may be used to replicate such viruses for use as insecticides or otherwise.

Abstract: Two new insect cell lines have been established and characterized; the cell lines were derived from midgut (BTI-TN-MG1, ATC CRL 10860), and embryonic tissue (BTI-TN-5B1-4, ATC CRL 10859) of Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper). The lines are susceptible to various baculoviruses, including TnSNPV and AcMNPV, and may be used to replicate such viruses for use as insecticides or otherwise.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection of biological materials from the stresses of air-drying and also from destructive reactions, such as oxidation and free-radical attack, which degrade the materials during long-term storage. The method involves drying the materials, which may contain potentially destructive agents such as free-radical generators or reducing sugars, in the presence of a vitrifying substance, and under conditions which allow the protective substance to become vitrified.

Abstract: A host microorganism is genetically and stably modified by the insertion into any of its non-essential chromosomal location of a non-homologous, recombinant foreign DNA fragment, maintaining an insertion of a luxAB gene of a selected bioluminescent bacterium such as V. harveyi, such that the expression of the luxAB genes causes the production of a luciferase enzyme which, in turn, catalyzes a light-emitting reaction in the presence of the appropriate substrate. X-ray film can be used to quantify the light being emitted from a microorganism through the use of plural droplets containing the same microorganism, each with a known and related cell (or plasmid) count.

Abstract: A method is provided for protection of biological materials from the stresses of air-drying and also from destructive reactions, such as oxidation and free-radical attack, which degrade the materials during long-term storage. The method involves drying the materials, which may contain potentially destructive agents such as free-radical generators or reducing sugars, in the presence of a vitrifying substance, and under conditions which allow the protective substance to become vitrified.

Abstract: Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, for example, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), useful in the control of lepidopterous larvae such as the larvae of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni, have been found to have enhanced infectivity when mixed with certain proteins obtained from the granulin fraction of Trichoplusia ni granulosis virus (TnGV) or Heliothis armigera granulosis virus (HaGV), and from the polyhedrin fraction of AcMNPV viruses. The proteins from the TnGV granulin fraction have molecular weights of about 101 and about 104 Kd. The enhanced infectivity is correlated to biochemical and structural changes in the T.ni peritrophic membrane.

Abstract: Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses, for example, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), useful in the control of lepidopterous larvae such as the larvae of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni, have been found to have enhanced infectivity when mixed with certain proteins obtained from the granulin fraction of Trichoplusia ni granulosis virus (TnGV) or Heliothis armigera granulosis virus (HaGV), and from the polyhedrin fraction of AcMNPV viruses. The proteins from the TnGV granulin fraction have molecular weights of about 101 and about 104 kd. The enhanced infectivity is correlated to biochemical and structural changes in the T.ni peritrophic membrane.

Abstract: A recombinant subunit vaccine for protecting dogs against infection caused by canine parvovirus comprising VP-2 protein produced during replication of a recombinant baculovirus in insect tissue culture cells or insects which are a permissive host for the replication of selected baculoviruses.

Abstract: DL-alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODCase; EC 4.1.1.17), strongly retards the growth of several species of phytopathogenic fungi in vitro. Such inhibition can be completely reversed by putrescine or spermidine, confirming the essentiality of polyamines for growth of fungal hyphae. We now have discovered that DFMO can protect a range of plants against a wide range of fungi. For example, DFMO can protect bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus cv. Pinto) against infection by uredospores of the bean rust fungus, Uromyces phaseoli Linnaeus, race O. Unifoliolate leaves of 10-day-old greenhouse-grown seedlings were sprayed with 400 ul per leaf of DFMO at various concentrations in 0.01% Tween 20 at pH 7.0 before or after inoculation with uredospores of Uromyces.

Abstract: A procaryotic microorganism and a method for its production is provided wherein the microorganism contains at least one stable foreign DNA portion in the chromosome. The disclosed microorganisms and their progeny are substantially free of genetic rearrangement involving the foreign DNA. In a preferred embodiment, cyanobacteria are employed. The microorganisms are produced by introducing into the cell an insertion vehicle that contains foreign DNA ligated between two portions of DNA homologous to adjacent portions of the recipient's chromosome.