Baculovirus-insect cell expression system optimization

Optimal conditions for insect cell growth have been extensively studied, but for product expression with a baculovirus infected insect cell the focus should be on the difference in the metabolic requirements of infected vs. uninfected cells, which has been observed to differ after infection. The alanine specific production rate decreases almost four-fold, while phenylalanine specific consumption rate increase 11-fold and glutamine specific consumption decrease [65]. Both an increase [66] and a decrease [67] in glucose consumption rates of insect cells after infection have been reported. This reflects some differences in the media and vectors that were used however, it is normal to expect a higher metabolic burden after infection due to the increase in protein expression rates caused by the infection. This creates a concern about the impact of nutrient limitations on the productivity of the system. 

---