David A. Theilmann
Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor, Summerland Research and Development Centre
250-494-6395
Summerland Research and Development Centre Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Box 5000, Highway 97 Summerland , BC V0H 1Z0
Ph. D. Microbiology (Virology), Texas A&M University, USA 1988
M.Sc. Biology/Microbiology, Queen’s University, Canada 1983
B.Sc. Biology, Queen’s University, Canada 1981
The research of my laboratory is focused on insect virology with a primary interest in baculoviruses. Research areas encompass investigations into the molecular basis of baculovirus pathogenesis, host range and virulence. This includes studies on the regulation of baculovirus gene expression and replication through structure-function studies of both viral and insect regulatory genes. There is particular focus on genes involved in transcriptional regulation, ubiquitination and host-receptor interactions. In addition, there is an ongoing program studying baculovirus genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. These studies have also led to the development of the insect cell protein expression system, “InsectSelect” using baculovirus genes and insect cell culture systems. Additional goals of the research program is the development of insect viruses as sustainable, viable alternatives to the use of chemical insecticides in field and greenhouse environments. The primary viruses under investigation are those that infect Lepidoptera of agricultural economic importance. Registration of baculoviruses as biopesticides has also being undertaken in collaboration with other research groups and industries in Canada.
Harrison RL, Herniou EA, Bezier A, Jehle JA, Burand JP, Theilmann DA, Krell PJ, van Oers MM, Nakai M, Ictv Report C. 2020. ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Nudiviridae. J Gen Virol 101:3-4.
Boogaard B, Ortega Murillo FD, Sminia AL, Theilmann DA, van Lent JWM, van Oers MM. 2020. The C-termini of the baculovirus per os infectivity factors 1 and 2 mediate ODV oral infectivity by facilitating the binding of PIF0 and PIF8 to the core of the entry complex. J Gen Virol 101:553-564.
Javed MA, Coutu C, Theilmann DA, Erlandson MA, Hegedus DD. 2019. Proteomics analysis of Trichoplusia ni midgut epithelial cell brush border membrane vesicles. Insect Sci 26:424-440.
Harrison RL, Mowery JD, Bauchan GR, Theilmann DA, Erlandson MA. 2019. The complete genome sequence of a second alphabaculovirus from the true armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta: implications for baculovirus phylogeny and host specificity. Virus Genes 55:104-116.
Harrison RL, Herniou EA, Jehle JA, Theilmann DA, Burand JP, Becnel JJ, Krell PJ, van Oers MM, Mowery JD, Bauchan GR, Ictv Report C. 2018. ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Baculoviridae. J Gen Virol 99:1185-1186.
Blissard GW, Theilmann DA. 2018. Baculovirus Entry and Egress from Insect Cells. Annu Rev Virol 5:113-139.
Biswas S, Willis LG, Fang M, Nie Y, Theilmann DA. 2018. Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus AC141 (Exon0), a Potential E3 Ubiquitin Ligase, Interacts with Viral Ubiquitin and AC66 To Facilitate Nucleocapsid Egress. J Virol 92.
Simon O, Erlandson MA, Frayssinet M, Williams T, Theilmann DA, Volkoff AN, Caballero P. 2017. Lacanobia oleracea nucleopolyhedrovirus (LaolNPV): A new European species of alphabaculovirus with a narrow host range. PLoS One 12:e0176171.
Javed MA, Biswas S, Willis LG, Harris S, Pritchard C, van Oers MM, Donly BC, Erlandson MA, Hegedus DD, Theilmann DA. 2017. Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus AC83 is a Per Os Infectivity Factor (PIF) Protein Required for Occlusion-Derived Virus (ODV) and Budded Virus Nucleocapsid Assembly as well as Assembly of the PIF Complex in ODV Envelopes. J Virol 91(5):e02115-16.
Harrison RL, Rowley DL, Mowery J, Bauchan GR, Theilmann DA, Rohrmann GF, Erlandson MA. 2017. The Complete Genome Sequence of a Second Distinct Betabaculovirus from the True Armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta. PLoS One 12:e0170510.
Boogaard B, van Lent JWM, Theilmann DA, Erlandson MA, van Oers MM. 2017. Baculoviruses require an intact ODV entry-complex to resist proteolytic degradation of per os infectivity factors by co-occluded proteases from the larval host. J Gen Virol 98:3101-3110.
Liu Y, de Jong J, Nagy E, Theilmann DA, Krell PJ. 2016. Nuclear Translocation Sequence and Region in Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus ME53 That Are Important for Optimal Baculovirus Production. J Virol 90:3953-3965.
Javed MA, Harris S, Willis LG, Theilmann DA, Donly BC, Erlandson MA, Hegedus DD. 2016. Microscopic investigation of AcMNPV infection in the Trichoplusia ni midgut. J Invertebr Pathol 141:24-33.
Donly BC, Kaplanoglu E, Theilmann DA, Baldwin D, Sieminska E, Hegedus DD, Erlandson MA. 2016. MacoNPV baculovirus midgut-specific gene expression during infection of the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata. Virology 499:1-8.
Biswas S, Blissard GW, Theilmann DA. 2016. Trichoplusia ni Kinesin-1 Associates with Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus Nucleocapsid Proteins and Is Required for Production of Budded Virus. J Virol 90:3480-95.
Au S, Wu W, Zhou L, Theilmann DA, Pante N. 2016. A new mechanism for nuclear import by actin-based propulsion used by a baculovirus nucleocapsid. J Cell Sci 129:2905-11.
Rohrmann GF, Erlandson MA, Theilmann DA. 2015. Genome Sequence of an Alphabaculovirus Isolated from the Oak Looper, Lambdina fiscellaria, Contains a Putative 2-Kilobase-Pair Transposable Element Encoding a Transposase and a FLYWCH Domain-Containing Protein. Genome Announc 3.
Sokal N, Nie Y, Willis LG, Yamagishi J, Blissard GW, Rheault MR, Theilmann DA. 2014. Defining the roles of the baculovirus regulatory proteins IE0 and IE1 in genome replication and early gene transactivation. Virology 468-470:160-171.
Donly BC, Theilmann DA, Hegedus DD, Baldwin D, Erlandson MA. 2014. Mamestra configurata nucleopolyhedrovirus-A transcriptome from infected host midgut. Virus Genes 48:174-83.
Rohrmann GF, Erlandson MA, Theilmann DA. 2013. The genome of a baculovirus isolated from Hemileuca sp. encodes a serpin ortholog. Virus Genes 47:357-64.
Peng K, van Lent JW, Boeren S, Fang M, Theilmann DA, Erlandson MA, Vlak JM, van Oers MM. 2012. Characterization of novel components of the baculovirus per os infectivity factor complex. J Virol 86:4981-8.
Nie Y, Fang M, Erlandson MA, Theilmann DA. 2012. Analysis of the autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus overlapping gene pair lef3 and ac68 reveals that AC68 is a per os infectivity factor and that LEF3 is critical, but not essential, for virus replication. J Virol 86:3985-94.
Dickison VL, Willis LG, Sokal NR, Theilmann DA. 2012. Deletion of AcMNPV ac146 eliminates the production of budded virus. Virology 431:29-39.
- 2018 AAFC Prize for Outstanding Achievement In Science