Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding norovirus VP1 fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the norovirus VP1 fusion proteins are provided. Methods for norovirus VP1 fusion protein and norovirus VLP production in plants are also described. The VP1 fusion protein comprises, a first sequence encoding an S domain derived from a first norovirus strain, and a second sequence encoding a P domain derived from a second norovirus strain.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a protein of interest within a plant or a portion of a plant is provided. The method involves treating the plant to increase secondary leaf biomass production, followed by introducing one or more than one nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein of interest operatively linked with a regulatory region that is active in the plant, into the plant. The plant is then maintained under conditions that permit the nucleic acid sequence encoding the protein of interest to be expressed in the plant or the portion of the plant. Optionally, the plant or portion of the plant may be harvested and the protein of interest extracted.