smthiem@msu.edu
Phone: (517) 432-1713
Home Department: Entomology
Microbiology

Assistant Professor of Entomology; Ph.D, 1989, University of ldaho; Postdoctoral Fellow, 1989, University of Georgia; Research Associate, 1989-1991, Michigan State University.

        My research interests center on understanding the molecular basis of pathogenesis in baculovirus infections. Baculoviruses are large DNA viruses that infect invertebrates. They are quite host specific generally infecting only a single species or a few closely related species. Baculoviruses are used as viral insecticides and are the basis of a popular gene expression system. My interests relate to the use of baculoviruses as insecticides and the improvement of their insecticidal properties through genetic engineering. Understanding how the virus interacts with its host at the molecular and cellular level as well as the organismal level will make it possible to engineer these viruses to enhance their properties as highly specific and effective insecticides. Studies of baculovirus-infected cells also provide a model system for understanding basic cellular processes. 

        We study several baculoviruses that infect the caterpillars of moths and butterflies and can be propagated in cell culture. The primary focus of recent work has been the identification and characterization of virus genes involved in baculovirus host range determination. We have recently identified two genes that affect baculovirus host range and 
are currently investigating how these genes function in baculovirus infected cells and insects. 

Representative Publications

Thiem, S. M., X. Du, M.E. Quentin, and M. L. Berner. (1996) Identification of a baculovirus gene that promotes      Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus replication in a non-permissive insect cell line. Journal of Virology 70:2221-2229.

Chen, C-J and S. M. Thiem. (1997) Differential infectivity of two Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus mutants on three permissive cell lines is the result of lef-7 deletion. Virology 227:88-95.

Thiem, S. M. (1997) Prospects for altering host range for baculovirus bioinsecticides. Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 8:317-322.

Chen C-J., M. E. Quentin, L. A. Brennan, C. Kukel, and S. M. Thiem. (1998) Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus hrf-1 expands larval host range of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus. Journal of Virology. 72:2526-2531.

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