James E. Maruniak

jem@ifas.ufl.edu

(80% Research, 20% Teaching)

Education

Employment

Research Responsibilities

Research Areas

  1. Insect virology; host range, virulence, molecular biology
  2. Baculovirus expression vectors
  3. Arbovirus epidemiology
  4. Genetic variation in fungal entomopathogens
  5. Genetic variation in microsporidia

Teaching Responsibilities

I have taught virology for 20 years in two different departments: Microbiology and Cell Science in the School of Agriculture and in Immunology and Medical Microbiology in the School of Medicine and for one year at Yale University School of Medicine. Currently, I am the coordinator and an instructor for the virology classes MCB 4503 and MCB 5505. Over the years I have given lectures in Bacterial and Viral Pathogens, Insect Pathology and Biocontrol courses. I have developed and teach with Dr. Alejandra Garcia Maruniak, a hands-on methods course, ENY 6822C Molecular Biology Techniques with Invertebrates and their Pathogens. I also give six to eight lectures in MCB 5252 Microbiology, Immunology and Therapeutics.

Accomplishments

Several baculoviruses, including Anticarsia gemmatalis (AgNPV) and Spodoptera exigua (SeNPV) nucleopolyhedroviruses have been applied as biological pesticides to pests on soybeans and tomatoes. These baculoviruses have been characterized at the molecular level. The AgNPV polyhedrin gene has been sequenced and this was used to make a phylogenetic comparison with other baculoviruses. The host range and virulence of several baculoviruses has been determined in cell cultures and larvae. A new cell line was established from A. gemmatalis for growing AgNPV. The baculovirus expression system has been used to produce proteins from human genes and mammalian viruses.

Career Publications

PubMed Publications

Publications

Zaki, T. and Maruniak, J.E. 2003. Three polymorphic genes encoding a depressant toxin from the Egyptian scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus. Toxicon 41: 109-113.

Levy, H., Garcia-Maruniak, A. and Maruniak, J. E. 2002. Strain identification of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) insects and cell line: PCR-RFLP of cytochrome oxidase C subunit I gene. Florida Entomologist 85: 186-190.

Ribeiro, B.M., Gatti, C.D.C., Costa, M.H., Moscardi, F., Maruniak, J.E., Possee, R.D., and Zanotto, P.M.A. (2001). Construction of a recombinant Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV-2D) harbouring the b -galactosidase gene. Arch. Virol. 146: 1355-1367.

Nguyen, K.B., Maruniak, J., and Adams, B.J. (2001). Diagnostic and phylogenetic utility of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequences of Steinernema. Journal of Nematology 33: 73-82.

Moraes, R.R. de, Maruniak, J.E. and Funderburk, J.E. (1999). Methods for detection of the Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus in soil. Applied Environmental Microbiology 65: 2307-2311.

Anderson, J.M., Preston, J.F., Dickson, D.W., Hewlett, T.E. and Maruniak, J.E. (1999). Phylogenetic analysis of the Pasteuria penetrans, a parasitic bacterium of root-knot nematodes, by 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing. Journal of Nematology 31: 319-325.

P>Liu, J.-C. and Maruniak J.E. (1999). Molecular characterization of genes in the gp41 region of baculoviruses and phylogenetic analysis based upon gp41 and polyhedrin genes. Virus Research 64: 187-196.

Maruniak, J.E., Garcia-Maruniak, A., Souza, M.L., Zanotto, P.M.A. and Moscardi, F. (1999). Physical maps and virulence of Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus genomic variants. Archives of Virology 144: 1991-2006.

Moraes, R.R. de, Funderburk, J.E. and Maruniak, J.E. (1998). Polymerase chain reaction techniques to detect multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and predator populations in soybean. Environmental Entomology 27: 968-975.

Moser, B.A., Becnel, J.J., Maruniak, J.E. and Patterson, R.S. (1998). Analysis of the ribosomal DNA of the microsporidia Thelohania and Vairimorpha of fire ants. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 72:154-159.

Moraes, R.R. de and Maruniak, J.E. (1997). Detection and identification of multiple baculoviruses using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease analysis. J. Virological Methods 63: 209-217.

Garcia-Maruniak, A., Pavan, O.H.O. and Maruniak, J.E. (1996). A highly variable region of Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus contains repeated DNA sequences. Virus Research 41: 123-132.

Liu, J.-C., D. G. Boucias, J. C. Pendland, W.-Z. Liu and J. Maruniak. 1996. The mode of action of Hirsutellin A on eukaryotic cells. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 67: 224-228.

Vilarinhos, P. de T. R., J. E. Maruniak and D. W. Hall. (1996). Characterization and biological activity of a Brazilian isolate of Bacillus sphaericus (Neide) highly toxic to mosquito larvae. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 91: 771-776.

Maruniak, J.E. (1996). Productivity of Insect Cells for Recombinant Proteins. Cytotechnology 20: 145-148.

Liu, J.-C. and Maruniak, J.E. (1995). Nucleotide sequence and transcriptional analysis of the gp41 gene of Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus. J. Gen. Virology 76: 1443-1450.

Maruniak, J.E. (1994). Biological and Molecular Characteristics of Insect Viruses as Biological Pesticides. In "Pest Management in the Tropics - Biological Control - A Florida Perspective. D. Rosen, F. Bennett and J. Capinera, eds. Intercept, Andover, England.

Maruniak, J.E., Garcia-Canedo, A., and Rodrigues, J.J.S. (1994). Cell lines used for the selection of recombinant baculovirus. Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. 30A: 283-286.

Fuxa, J.R., Maruniak, J.E. and Richter, A.R.. (1994). Characterization of the DNA of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus selected for an increased rate of vertical transmission. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 64: 1-5.

Tomlinson, S., Ueda, E., Maruniak, J.E., Garcia-Canedo, A., Bjes, E.S. and Esser, A.F. (1993). The expression of hemolytically active human complement protein C9 in mammalian, insect and yeast cells. Protein expression and Purification 4: 141-148.

Zanotto, P.M.A. Kessing, B.D. and Maruniak, J.E. (1993). Phylogenetic interrelationships among baculoviruses: Evolutionary rates and host associations. J. Invertebr. Pathol.62: 147-164.

Coler, R. R., D. G. Boucias, J. H. Frank, J. E. Maruniak, A. Garcia-Canedo and J. C. Pendland. (1993). Characterization and description of a virus causing salivary gland hyperplasia in the housefly, Musca domestica. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 7: 275-282.

Zanotto, P.A.M., Sampaio, M.J.A., Johnson, D.W., Rocha, T.L. and Maruniak, J.E. (1992). The Anticarsia gemmatalis Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Polyhedrin Gene Region: Sequence Analysis, Gene Product and Structural Comparisons. J. Gen. Virol. 73: 1049-1056.

Maruniak, J. E. (1992). Contribution of molecular biology to the improvement of insect viruses as biological control products. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, Brasilia, 27: 143-150.

Maruniak, J. E., S. E. Fiesler, and P. M. McGuire. (1990). Susceptibility of insect cells and ribosomes to ricin. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 96: 543-548.

Boucias, D. G., J. E. Maruniak. and J. C. Pendland. (1989). Characterization of a non-occluded baculovirus (subgroup C) from the field cricket, Gryllus rubens. Archives of Virology 106: 93-102.

Beard, C. B., J. F. Butler and J. E. Maruniak. (1989). A baculovirus in the flea, Palex simulans. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 54: 128-131.

Maruniak, J. E. (1989). The genetic engineering of baculovirus for foreign gene expression. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 84: 61-62.

Maruniak, J. E. (1989). Molecular biology of Anticarsia gemmatalis baculovirus. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 84: 107-111.

Johnson, D.W. and Maruniak, J.E. (1989). Physical map of Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AgMNPV-2) DNA. J. Gen. Virol. 70: 1877-1883

Sieburth, P. J. and J. E. Maruniak. (1988). Growth characteristics of a continuous cell line from the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology 24: 195-198.

Sieburth, P. J. and J. E. Maruniak. (1988). Susceptibility of an established cell line of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to three nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 52: 453-458.

Gowan, T. D. and J. E. Maruniak. (1988). VIRSTOCK: Adaptable programs for computerized inventory control of microbe stock. Biotechnology Software 5: 16-17.

 

Ad hoc reviewer for the following journals:

    1. Journal of General Virology
    2. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
    3. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology
    4. Biological Control
    5. Virus Research

Memberships and Activities in the Profession

Societies

Contributions to Interdisciplinary Projects

    1. Pasteuria penetrans was characterized at the molecular level. DNA was isolated form highly purified spores free of contaminating bacteria and bacterial DNA. The 16S ribosomal gene DNA was amplified, cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequences were aligned with other bacterial 16S rRNA sequences for phylogenetic analysis with PAUP. This project was in collaboration with Don Dickson in Nematology and Jim Preston in Microbiology & Cell Science.
    2. Insect cell cultures were used to study insect specific fungal toxins. Insect cells were subjected to the purified toxin and then monitored for pathological effects. Insect cell ribosomes were also isolated and subjected to the toxin activity, and the effects on ribosomal RNA was determined. This was in collaboration with Drion Boucias in Entomology.
    3. Anastrepha suspensa salivary glands were cultured in vitro to establish conditions that may provide an important source of material for chemicals produced by fruit fly salivary glands. Salivary glands were extracted from surface sterilized flies and placed in culture medium with antibiotics. Viability was monitored by viable cell dye exclusion and enzymatic activity. This was a cooperative project with Jim Nation in Entomology.
    4. The genetic relationships of microsporidia from different species of fire ants was determined first by comparing the fatty acid content of purified microsporidia. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships of the microsporidia were compared by determining and analyzing the DNA sequence of ribosomal RNA genes from the different isolates. This was done in collaboration with scientists from the USDA, Jimmy Becnel and Richard Patterson.
    5. The genetic analysis of Beauveria bassiana fungal pathogens of fire ants was done in collaboration with Jerry Stimac. Molecular probes were identified that could distinguish North and South American fungal isolates. Markers were precise enough that they could detect applied fungal isolates from indigenous isolates in a field situation.

Graduate Student and post-doctoral fellows trained

Tamer Zaki, Ph.D. 2003. Construction expression and production of a recombinant baculovirus with a scorpion toxin gene.

Aissa Doumbouya, M.S. 2001 Construction of a restriction map and sequencing of DNA from the Neodiprion sertifer nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Thomas Merritt, M.S. 2000. DNA sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Neodiprion sertifer (European pine sawfly) genes.

Yong Zheng, Ph.D. 1999. Development of methods to distinguish Beauveria bassiana isolates with different biological activity to fire ants.

Jennifer Anderson, M.S. 1998. Phylogenetic analysis of Pasteuria penetrans, a bacterial pathogen of nematodes.

Hazel Levy, M.S. 1998. Molecular study of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae and SF-9 cell line mitochondrial genomes.

Jaw-Ching Liu, Ph.D. 1997. Phylogenetic analysis of baculoviruses using GP41 structural protein gene and five other genes.

Rejane de Moraes, Ph.D. 1997. Environmental detection of baculovirus species and genotypes using the polymerase chain reaction technique.

Paulo Vilarinhos, M.S. 1991. Biological activity and biochemical characterization of a new isolate of Bacillus sphaericus (Neide) highly toxic to mosquito larvae.

David Johnson, Ph.D. 1990. Physical maps of Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

Paolo Zanotto, M.S. 1990. Polyhedrin gene of the Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

Zuhair Alyaqoub, M.S. 1990. A baculovirus transfer vector containing a cDNA coding for a poliovirus protease and polymerase polypeptide and co-transfection of the DNA into insect cell cultures.

Dave Gowan, Post-Doctoral fellow. 1987-1988. Virulence of Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus genotypes in multiple cell lines.

Peggy Sieburth, Post-Doctoral fellow. 1986-1988. Development of insect cell lines capable of replicating the Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus and determination of host range and virulence of plaque purified isolates.

Gregory Danyluk, M.S. 1986. Virulence of two baculoviruses in Lepidopteran cell lines and larvae and the characterization of the cell lines by isozyme analysis and restriction enzyme profiles of the mitochondrial DNA.

Current Graduate Students:

Aissa Doumbouya, Ph.D., Vector competence of Culex nigripalpus

Saundra Garrett, M.S., Epidemiology of West Nile Virus,

Leslie Vigeurs, Ph.D., Vector ecology of arbovirus host mosquitoes

Revised August 2003