Disclosed are compositions and methods comprising a vector and a reverse genetics competent unit. The vector may comprise baculovirus expression vectors, bacmids, vaccinia virus and synthetic vectors and the reverse genetics competent unit may comprise pathogenic units necessary for producing pathogens de novo from a nucleotide-based vector. In certain embodiments, the reverse genetics competent unit comprises pathogenic units necessary for producing pathogens de novo from a nucleotide-based vector for influenza virus.