Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed an improved insect cell line, Tni-FNL, derived from the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. The Tni-FNL cell line is capable of high level expression of heterologous proteins using baculovirus-based expression systems. When compared to commercially available cell lines used for the same purpose, the Tni-FNL cell line often outperforms those for protein expression. These cells have a high growth rate and are capable of growth at a lower temperature. The complete genome sequence of the Tni-FNL cell line has been determined, opening the door to systems biology approaches to further improve the protein expression capabilities of the cell line.