Abstract: Human Serum Albumin (HSA) or an HSA fusion protein is expressed in plant plastids. A plastid transformation vector is made which contains an expression cassette that contains regulatory sequences, the coding region for HSA or an HSA fusion protein and a selectable marker coding sequence. The vector is used to transform a plant where the plant expresses the HSA or HSA fusion protein. HSA is isolated and purified from the plant. A preferred plant is tobacco.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making a vaccine against Entamoeba histolytica and methods of immunizing a subject using such vaccine.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for simultaneously immunizing a subject against Cholera and Malarial infection. Specifically exemplified herein are methods that involve administering compositions comprising a CTB-AMA1 or CTB-MSP1 derived from plants having plastids transformed to express such conjugates.

Abstract: Oral apparatus and methods to inhibit the increase of lactate levels during physical and/or mental exertion are disclosed. The oral apparatus include at least a first bite pad and a second bite pad. The first bite pad and the second bite pad are each configured to be positioned between at least two of the molars of a user. The bite pads are generally configured to direct the posterior of the lower mandible downward and/or forward in response to a clenching force exerted by a user. When worn during physical and/or mental exertion, the oral apparatus can reduce the accumulation of lactate normally generated by the physical and/or mental exertion without the oral apparatus.

Abstract: A plastid transformation vector for a stably transforming a plastid genome is provided. The vector includes, as operably-linked components, a first flanking sequence, a DNA sequence coding for a therapeutic human IFN, which is capable of expression in the plastid and a second flanking sequence. The invention also provides isolated and purified IFN, wherein the IFN is configured in a monomeric or multimeric form and is a structural equivalent to orally administered human IFN. Also provided are methods for variable-expressing biopharmaceutical proteins in plants suitable for mammal consumption. The method includes integrating a plastid transformation vector into a plastid genome of a plant cell; growing the plant cell to express a biopharmaceutical protein, such as therapeutic human interferon IFN. Also disclosed are plants transformed with the aforementioned vectors, and the progeny thereof. Also, disclosed is the IFN, which is IFN?2b.

Abstract: The invention provides universal chloroplast integration and expression vectors which are competent to stably transform and integrate genes of interest into chloroplast genome of multiple species of plants. Transformed plants and their progeny are provided. Monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants are transformed which have never been transformed heretofore. Plants transformed with a synthetic gene express valuable biodegradable protein-based polymers (PBPs). Transformed plants produce high value molecules. Resistance is provided to agricultural crops against the major classes of chemical herbicides. Herbicide resistance is used as a lethal selectable marker for chloroplast transformation. The transformed plants are capable of expressing in addition to the targeted trait, a desirable, secondary non-targeted trait. Insect resistance is provided to transformed plants, both against insects that are susceptible to Bt toxins and against insects that have developed resistance to Bt toxins.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to circumvent the problem of using antibiotic resistant selectable markers. In particular, target plants are transformed using a plastid vector which contains heterologous DNA sequences coding for a phytotoxin detoxifying enzyme or protein. The selection process involves converting a antibiotic-free phytotoxic agent by the expressed phytotoxin detoxifying enzyme or protein to yield a nontoxic compound. The invention provides for various methods to use antibiotic-free selection in chloroplast transformation.

Abstract: A method of checking turbomachine blades is presented that may be implemented using a computer and a measuring device. Turbomachine blades compatible with embodiments of the method have a profile including a centerline, suction face, pressure face, leading edge and trailing edge. The method measures geometrical coordinates of many points on a blade section profile, calculates an aerodynamic parameter of the blade section as a function of the measured coordinates, verifies whether the calculated aerodynamic parameter value departs from a valid range of parameters from a reference blade, and validates or rejects the blade depending upon whether the value of the aerodynamic parameter falls within the valid range.

Abstract: A method of transforming plant plastids and regenerating fertile transplastomic plants by somatic embryogenesis is disclosed. The method involves transforming a plant plastid in a plant cell capable of being regenerated through somatic embryogenesis with a plastid expression cassette comprising one or more selectable marker genes that express in both green and non-green tissue and in light and dark conditions wherein the selectable marker gene product provides resistance of the plant cell to a selection agent. The transplastomic plant cell is cultured in the presence of the selection agent under conditions to cause the formation of a somatic embryo. The somatic embryo is grown into a fertile transplastomic plant. Preferably, the expression cassette contains two different selectable marker genes that express different proteins that provide plant cell resistance to the same selection agent.

Abstract: Humans Serum Albumin (HSA) or an HSA fusion protein is expressed in plant plastids. A plastid transformation vector is made which contains an expression cassette that contains regulatory sequences, the coding region for HSA or an HSA fusion protein and a selectable marker coding sequence. The vector is used to transform a plant where the plant expresses the HSA or HSA fusion protein. HSA is isolated and purified from the plant. A preferred plant is tobacco.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chloroplast transformation vectors constructed to enable expression and hyperaccumulation of membrane proteins in chloroplasts. Another embodiment relates to plants transformed with such vectors. Another embodiment relates to seeds and other plant tissues transformed with such vectors. Another embodiment relates to a method of increasing expression of membrane proteins in chloroplasts including transforming a plant cell with vectors described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials useful for degrading plant biomass material. In exemplary embodiments, the plant material comprises one or more enzymes that are expressed in plants and/or bacteria. Specifically exemplified herein are plant degrading enzymes expressed in chloroplasts. The chloroplast expressed enzymes may be provided as cocktails for use in conjunction with conventional methods of converting biomass into biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a malaria vaccine, the method comprising stably transforming a plant by inserting into its plastid genome a nucleic acid sequence encoding and operable to constitutively express a malaria antigenic polypeptide selected from AMA-1, MSP-1 or both; harvesting the stably transformed plant in whole or in part; purifying the expressed malaria antigenic polypeptide from the harvested plant; and packaging the purified antigenic polypeptide under sterile conditions in an amount for a predetermined dosage. Also disclosed is an oral vaccine effective in raising malaria antibodies in a susceptible host, the vaccine comprising leaf material from an edible plant containing plastids stably transformed to constitutively express a fusion polypeptide consisting essentially of cholera toxin B subunit and a malaria antigenic polypeptide selected from AMA-1, MSP-1 or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making a vaccine against Entamoeba histolytica and methods of immunizing a subject using such vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an expression cassette containing a polynucleotide encoding an IFN?2b polypeptide and having two overlapping primers at a 5? end encoding a polyhistidine tag and a thrombin cleavage site fused to the polypeptide, the expression cassette carried by a vector competent for integrating the expression cassette in a plastid genome. Also disclosed is a transgenic plastid, preferably a chloroplast, containing a genome transformed by integration of an expression cassette having a non-plant gene encoding an IFN?2b polypeptide and having regions that encode a polyhistidine tag and a thrombin cleavage site fused with the IFN?2b polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for conferring oral tolerance in mammals to autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, as well as vectors and methods for plastid transformation of plants to produce a CTB-Pins protein for oral delivery. The invention also extends to the transformed plants, plant parts, and seeds and progeny thereof. The invention is applicable to plants edible without torrefying. Exemplified herein is the stable transformation of Lactuca sativa such that CTB-Pins is expressed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of achieving male sterility in plants. Specifically exemplified herein is the transformation of the plastid genome with a vector expressing the phaA gene. Expression of the phaA gene in plastids results in plants that do not exhibit pleiotropic effects with the exception of male sterility. Also disclosed are stably transformed plants and cells, as well as example vectors for expressing the phaA gene in plastids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making a vaccine against Entamoeba histolytica and methods of immunizing a subject using such vaccine. Specifically exemplified are plants expressing a LecA polypeptide and plant material obtained from such plant being used as a basis for vaccination.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel method to confer disease resistance to plants. Plant plastids are transformed using a plastid vector which contains heterologous DNA sequences coding for a cytotoxic antimicrobial peptide. Transgenic plants are capable of fighting off phytopathogenic bacterial infection.

Abstract: Vaccines for conferring immunity in mammals to infective pathogens are provided, as well as vectors and methods for plastid transformation of plants to produce protective antigens and vaccines for oral delivery. The vaccines are operative by parenteral administration as well. The invention also extends to the transformed plants, plant parts, and seeds and progeny thereof. The invention is applicable to monocot and dicot plants.