Host-range tests

Future work will concentrate on expanding host range tests, evaluating vertebrate toxicity, and developing an appropriate formulation. Ongoing surveys will continue to search for new organisms within the United States and abroad. 

Isolation and sequencing of the cellulose synthase gene(s) has not been accomplished yet however, DNA from Acetobacter xylinum containing this gene(s) was cloned into broad host-range plasmid vectors (82). These vectors were mobilized into Pel- mutants to test for complementation. To date, this approach has not produced a pellicle-forming transconjugant from a Pel- mutant of Acetobacter (82). The direct correlation between cellulose production and presence of plasmid DNA in Acetobacter has been reported... 

Unlike some of the more classic AJH bioassays, the one presented here allows for the rapid (ca. 36 hrs) elimination of inactive compounds, saving the more intensive labor for only the more promising compounds. An additional advantage is that only a relatively small amount of material is needed for the bioassay. Since the test organism, T. ru, is a major economic pest insect with a broad host range, it can be assumed that, unlike M. sexta or 0. faciatus, it has a rather well developed detoxification systems. Thus, compounds active on T. rri are more likely to be active on other economically important insect pests. 

Rhabdoviruses Rabies virus Bullet-shaped particles, 75-180 nm, enveloped, helical capsids The virus has a very wide host range, infecting all mammals so far tested dogs, cats and cattle are particularly susceptible. The incubation period of rabies is extremely varied, ranging from 6 days up to 1 year. The virus remains localized at the wound site of entry for a while before passing along nerve fibres to central nervous system, where it invariably produces a fatal encephalitis... 

The animal safety testing of baculoviruses has been very extensive. Simply summarized, there have been no unexpected adverse effects on any vertebrate and no effects on any invertebrate which is not part of the host range (for review see 2). Baculoviruses have no phytotoxicity. 

Table 1 Species of Epichloe with Known Host Range as Confirmed by Experimental Mating Tests... 

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