Canadian Forest Service employee directory

Profile

Pest management biotechnology

The aim of this project is to develop recombinant insect viruses that are not only cost effective but also species specific. Genes responsible for neurohormones, enzymes, insect specific toxins controlling metamorphosis etc., are isolated, characterized and inserted into baculoviruses to enhance their virulence. The recombinant viruses are screened from tissue culture plaques, insects are infected with them, and their physiological effects are investigated. Contained tests are conducted to confirm their host specificity and study their environmental impact prior to field trials.

The objective of this project is to develop microbial pathogens of insects, such as viruses, that show enhanced activity against forest insect pests but at the same time have little or no deleterious effects on non-target species.

Publications

• Canadian Forest Service Publications