Abstract: A method for synthesizing influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) within a plant or a portion of a plant is provided. The method involves expression of influenza HA in plants and the purification by size exclusion chromatography. The invention is also directed towards a VLP comprising influenza HA protein and plants lipids. The invention is also directed to a nucleic acid encoding influenza HA as well as vectors. The VLPs may be used to formulate influenza vaccines, or may be used to enrich existing vaccines.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing sialic acid in plants, and plants capable of synthesizing sialic acid is provided. Furthermore, a method of producing sialylated a protein in a plant is also provided. The method to synthesize sialic acid comprises providing a plant comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding N-acetyl neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) synthase or Neu5Ac lyase, and expressing the nucleotide sequence thereby synthesizing sialic acid. The plant may also co-express a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more than one of an epimerase, a CMP-Neu5 Ac synthase, CMP-Neu5Ac transporter and a sialyltransferase.

Abstract: This invention comprises a combined transgene/virus vector system for the expression of heterologous proteins in plants. While exemplified with respect to the bipartite RNA plant virus, Cowpect mosaic virus (CPMV), other bipartite viral systems may be used to advantage according to the method, system and composition described in detail herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a promoter for regulating expression of foreign genes in transgenic organisms, which comprises a promoter having the identifying characteristics of a promoter having a sequence selected from the group consisting of sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 3 and functional fragments or derivatives thereof, wherein said promoter is adapted to be operationally located with respect to said foreign gene for expression of said gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of regulating the transcription of transgene in genetically-modified organisms. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of expression vectors harboring the coding sequence of a gene of interest under the transcriptional control of promoting sequences for which activity is regulated by the presence of nitrogen.