Jim Slavicek
Title: Project Leader / Research Biologist
Unit: Biological and Environmental Influences on Forest Health and Productivity, Genetics, Biological Control, and Management of Invasive Species
Address: NRS
359 Main Road
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: 740-368-0033
E-mail: Contact Jim Slavicek
Jump to Publications
Education
- Ph.D. in Genetics, University of Connecticut
- B.A. in Biology. Kalamazoo College
Civic & Professional Affiliations
American Association for Virology, 1990 to present
Society for Invertebrate Pathology, 1992 to present
Current Research
My primary research and development efforts are focused on development, improvement, and production of baculoviruses that can be used to control invasive forest inset pests. In addition, I am leading an effort to restore the American elm to forested landscapes. Current efforts include:
- Development of improved strains of the Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV)
- Studies to understand a host?s initial defenses to viral infection
- Development of cell culture bioreactor production methods for LdMNPV
- Generation of clonal L. dispar cell line that produce high levels of LdMNPV polyhedra
- Determine if the browntail moth baculovirus, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, can be used in browntail moth infested areas to control this pest
- Restoration of the American elm in forested landscapes
Why is This Important
Invasive insects, plants, and microbes have had and continue to have a significant deleterious impact on U.S. forests. It?s estimated that approximately 50,000 species of plants, microbes and animals have been introduced into the U.S. Most of the invertebrate animal (e.g., gypsy moth, zebra mussel) and microbe (e.g., Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, Nectria coccinea) introductions were accidental, whereas vertebrate animal (e.g., cattle, poultry) and plant introductions (e.g., corn, wheat) were mostly intentional. The economic impact of 79 nonindigenous species over the period from 1906-1991 was estimated by the Office of Technology Assessment to be $97 billion in damages. More recently, it?s estimated that economic damages caused by nonindigenous species and costs for control and management of these species exceed $137 billion per year. Native forest insect pests and diseases also cause losses of approximately 18% of forest products (e.g., lumber, pulp) valued at approximately $9.8 billion annually. Due to the negative impact of invasive insects and diseases on the nation?s forests and urban trees efforts are needed to develop means of ameliorating the negative impacts of invasives.
Future Research
Future work will include efforts to identify microbial pathogens that infect the emerald ash borer and to develop methods of using the microbial agents to address the emerald ash borer problem.
Featured Publications
- Slavicek, James M. 2012. Baculovirus enhancins and their role in viral pathogenicity. Chapter 9. In: Adoga, Moses, ed. Molecular virology. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech: 147-168.
- D'Amico, Vincent; Slavicek, James. 2012. Interactions between nucleopolyhedroviruses and polydnaviruses in larval lepidoptera. Chapter 8. In: Adoga, Moses, ed. Molecular virology. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech: 125-146.
- Hoover, K.; Grove, M.; Gardner, M.; Hughes, D. P.; McNeil, J.; Slavicek, J. 2011. A Gene for an Extended Phenotype. Science. Vol. 333 no. 6048 p. 1401
DOI: 10.1126/science.1209199
- Hoover, Kelli; McNeil, Jim; Gendron, Alyssa; Slavicek, James. 2011. Impact of enhancin genes on potency of LdNPV in gypsy moth. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. 2010. Proceedings. 21st U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2010; 2010 January 12-15; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-75. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 93.
- Podgwaite, J.D.; Zerillo, R.T.; Slavicek, J.M.; Hayes-Plazolles, N. 2011. Relative potencies of gypsy moth nucleopolyhedrovirus genotypes isolated from Gypchek. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. 2010. Proceedings. 21st U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2010; 2010 January 12-15; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-75. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 119.
Additional
Online Publications
- McNeil, James; Cox-Foster, Diana; Slavicek, James; Hoover, Kelli. 2010. Contributions of immune responses to developmental resistance in Lymantria dispar challenged with baculovirus. Journal of Insect Physiology. 56: 1167-1177.
- Hoover, Kelli; Humphries, Merideth A.; Genfron, Alyssa R.; Slavicek, James M. 2010. Impact of viral enhancin genes on potency of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in L. dispar following disruption of the peritrophic matrix. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 104: 150-152.
- Dix, Mary Ellen; Buford, Marilyn; Slavicek, Jim; Solomon, Allen M.; Conard, Susan G. 2010. Invasive species and disturbances: Current and future roles of Forest Service Research and Development. In: Dix, Mary Ellen; Britton, Kerry, eds. A dynamic invasive species research vision: Opportunities and priorities 2009-29. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-79/83. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Research and Development: 91-102.
- Slavicek, James M.; Baggett, Kelly; Swanson, Gary. 2009. Restoration of the American elm on the Chippewa National Forest through generation of Dutch elm disease tolerant, cold-hardy, and site-adapted trees.. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings. 20th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2009; 2009 January 13-16; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-51. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 95.
- D'Amico, Vincent; Slavicek, James; Podgwaite, John; Fuester, Roger; Peiffer, Randy; Webb, Ralph. 2009. The effect of a mutation on field transmission of LdMNPV. In: McManus, Katherine A; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings. 19th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species 2008; 2008 January 8-11; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-36. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 16.
- D'Amico, Vincent D.; Slavicek, James; Podgwaite, John; Thorpe, Kevin; Webb, Ralph; Fuester, Roger; Peiffer, Randy. 2008. An indepth look at new viral strains for use in Gypchek. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 18th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2007; 2007 January 9-12; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-28. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 16.
- Slavicek, James M. 2008. Production of Gypchek in the Wave® cell bioreactor: comparison to production stirred tank bioreactor. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 18th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2007; 2007 January 9-12; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-28. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 65.
- Slavicek, James M. 2007. Expansion of the American elm restoration effort to the upper Midwest. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 17th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2006; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-10. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 90.
- Slavicek, James M.; Gabler, J. Matt. 2007. Production of LDMNPV in the Wave® cell culture bioreactor. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 17th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2006; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-10. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 91.
- Webb, R.E.; White, G.B.; Podgwaite, J.D.; D'Amico, V.; Slavicek, J.; Swearingen, J.; Onken, B.; Thorpe, K.W. 2005. Comparison of aerially-applied Gypchek strains against gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in the presence of an Entomophaga maimaiga epizootic. Journal of Entomological Science. 40(4): 446-460.
- Slavicek, James; Elkinton, Joseph; Podgwaite, John. 2005. Control of the Browntail Moth in Maine with a Baculovirus. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, XV U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2004; 2004 January 13-16; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-332. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 73.
- Slavicek, James M.; Gabler, J. Matt. 2005. Production of LdNPV on Cell Culture Bioreactors. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 16th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2005; 2005 January 18-21; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-337. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 75.
- Slavicek, James M.; Boose, Andrew; Balser, Dan; Cavender, Nicole. 2005. Restoration of the American Elm in Forested Landscapes. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 16th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2005; 2005 January 18-21; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-337. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 74.
- Slavicek, James M.; Popham, Holly J.R. 2005. The Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus enhancins are components of occlusion-derived virus. Journal of Virology. 79(16): 10578-10588.
- Choi, One; Tomiya, Noboru; Kim, Jung H.; Slavicek, James M.; Betenbaugh, Michael J.; Lee, Yuan C. 2003. N-glycan structures of human transferrin produced by Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth)cells using the LdMNPV expression system. Glycobiology 13(7):539-548
- Popham, Holly J.R.; Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 2003. Both Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus enhancin genes contribute to viral potency. In: Fosbroke, Sandra L.C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2002; 2002 January 15-18; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-300. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 77.
- Webb, R. E.; White, G. B.; Thorpe, K. W.; Slavicek, J. M.; Podgwaite, J. D.; Fuester, R. W.; Taylor, P. B.; Peiffer, R. A.; Valenti, M. A. 2003. Evaluation of production method and formulation for optimizing in-vitro produced Gypchek. In: Fosbroke, Sandra L.C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2002; 2002 January 15-18; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-300. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 102-103.
- Slavicek, James M.; De Graff, Patricia. 2003. Genetic analysis of Asian longhorned beetle populations from Chicago, New York, and China using the RAPD technique. In: Fosbroke, Sandra L.C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2002; 2002 January 15-18; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-300. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 85.
- Slavicek, James M.; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy. 2003. The Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus contains the capsid-associated p24 protein gene. Virus genes. 26(1): 15-18.
- Popham, Holly J.R.; Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 2001. Both Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus enhancin genes contribute to viral potency. Journal of Virology. 75(18): 8639-8648.
- Slavicek, James M.; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy; Kelly, Mary Ellen. 2001. Identification of a Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate that does not accumulate few-polyhedra mutants during extended serial passage in cell culture. Biological Control. 22: 159-168.
- D'Amico, Vincent; Elkinton, Joseph S.; Podgwaite, John D.; Slavicek, James M.; McManus, Michael L.; Burand, John P. 1999. A field release of genetically engineered gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (LdNPV). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 73: 260-268.
- Slavicek, James M.; Popham, Holly J.R.; Riegel, C.I. 1999. Deletion of the Lymantria dispar multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyl transferase gene enhances viral killing speed in the last instar of the gypsy moth. Biological Control. 16: 91-103.
- Garner, K.J.; Slavicek, J.M. 1999. Identification of a non-LTR retrotransposon from the gypsy moth. Insect Molecular Biology. 8(2): 231-242.
- Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1999. Impact of deletion of the Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus PEP gene on viral potency: expression of the green fluorescent protein prevents larval liquefaction. Biological Control. 14: 51-59.
- Kuzio, John; Pearson, Margot N.; Harwood, Steve H.; Funk, C. Joel; Evans, Jay T.; Slavicek, James M.; Rohrmann, George F. 1999. Sequence and analysis of the genome of a baculovirus pathogenic for Lymantria dispar. Virology. 253: 17-34.
- Thorpe, Kevin W.; Podgwaite, John D.; Slavicek, James M.; Webb, Ralph E. 1998. Gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) control with ground-based hydraulic applications of Gypchek, in vitro-produced virus, and Bacillus thuringiensis. Journal of Economic Entomology. 91(4): 875-880.
- Slavicek, James M.; Mercer, Melissa J.; Pohlman, Dana; Kelly, Mary Ellen; Bischoff, David S. 1998. Identification of a novel Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus mutant that exhibits abnormal polyhedron formation and virion occlusion. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 72: 28-37.
- Riegel, Christopher I.; Slavicek, James M. 1997. Characterization of the replication cycle of the Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Virus Research. 51: 9-17.
- Schreiber, David E.; Garner, Karen J.; Slavicek, James M. 1997. Identification of three randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction markers for distinguishing Asian and North American Gypsy Moths (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 90(5): 667-674.
- Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1997. Molecular analysis of an enhancin gene in the Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Journal of Virology. 71(11): 8133-8140.
- Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1997. Phenotypic and genetic analysis of Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus few polyhedra mutants: Mutations in the 25K FP gene may be caused by DNA replication errors. Journal of Virology. 71(2): 1097-1106.
- Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1996. Characterization of the Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus 25K FP gene. Journal of General Virology. 77: 1913-1923.
- Garner, K.J.; Slavicek, J.M. 1996. Identification and characterization of a RAPD-PCR marker for distinguishing Asian and North American gypsy moths. Insect Molecular Biology. 5(2): 81-91.
- Slavicek, James M.; Mercer, Melissa J.; Kelly, Mary Ellen; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy. 1996. Isolation of a baculovirus variant that exhibits enhanced polyhedra production stability during serial passage in cell culture. Journal of Invertegrate Pathology. 67: 153-160.
- Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1995. Identification and characterization of an early gene in the Lymantria dispar multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Journal of General Virology. 76: 2933-2940.
- Slavicek, James M.; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy; Kelly, Mary Ellen. 1995. Rapid formation of few polyhedral mutants of Lymantria dispar multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus during serial passage in cell culture. Biological Control. 5: 251-261.
- Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1994. Identification and characterization of a protein kinase gene in the Lymantria dispar nultinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Journal of Virology. 68(3): 1728-1736.
- Riegel, Christopher I.; Lanner-Herrera, Carita; Slavicek, James M. 1994. Identification and characterization of the ecdysteroid UDPglucosyltransferase gene of the Lymantria dispar multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Journal of General Virology. 75: 829-838.
- Slavicek, James M.; Podgwaite, John; Lanner-Herrera, Carita. 1992. Properties of two Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus isolates obtained from the microbial pesticide Gypchek. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 59: 142-148.
- Haissig, Bruce E.; Kent, Kirk T.; Olsen, William L.; Raffa, Kenneth F.; Slavicek, James M.; [Editors]. 1991. Abstracts of papers presented at the international symposium on applications of biotechnology to tree culture, protection, and utilization. . Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-152. Radnor, PA: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 141 p.
- Slavicek, James M.; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy. 1991. Identification, cloning, and expression analysis of three putative Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus immediate early genes. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Twery, Mark J.; Smith, Shirley I., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency gypsy moth research review 1990; East Windsor, CT. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-146. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 145.
- Slavicek, James M.; Lanner-Herrera, Carita; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy; Kelly, Mary Ellen; Fikes, Martha. 1991. Replication and inclusion body characteristics of two Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus plaque variants. IN: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Twery, Mark J.; Smith, Shirley I., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency gypsy moth research review 1990; East Windsor, CT. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-146. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 54.
- Slavicek, James M.; Hayes-Plazolles, Nancy. 1991. Temporal analysis and spatial mapping of Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus transcripts and in-vitro translation products. IN: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Twery, Mark J.; Smith, Shirley I., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency gypsy moth research review 1990; East Windsor, CT. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-146. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 52.
- Slavicek, James M. 1991. Temporal analysis and spatial mapping of Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus transcripts and in vitro translation polypeptides. Virus Research. 20: 223-236.
Other Publications by Jim Slavicek *
- McNeil, J., Cox-Foster, D., Gardner, M., Slavicek, J., Thiem, S. and Hoover, K. 2010. Pathogenesis of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in L. dispar and mechanisms of developmental resistance. J. General Virology 91: 1590-1600.
*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Jim Slavicek to inquire about reprints.
Last Modified:
02/15/2012