Abstract: The invention provides an AIM-lipid complex for treating age-related macular degeneration and related conditions. The compositions and methods of the instant invention encompass a novel approach to the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and related conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions for this use are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of producing granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a plant comprising, transforming the plant with a genetic construct comprising a regulatory region functional in the plant, operably associated with a GM-CSF coding sequence, or a fragment or a derivative thereof, operably associated with a transcriptional terminator, and expressing the GM-CSF. Also disclosed are transgenic plants, seeds and cells comprising GM-CSF coding sequences and plant optimized GM-CSF coding sequences.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of producing granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a plant comprising, transforming the plant with a genetic construct comprising a regulatory region functional in the plant, operably associated with a GM-CSF coding sequence, or a fragment or a derivative thereof, operably associated with a transcriptional terminator, and expressing the GM-CSF. Also disclosed are transgenic plants, seeds and cells comprising GM-CSF coding sequences and plant optimized GM-CSF coding sequences.

Abstract: There is provided a herpes virus vaccine produced in in the seeds of a cereal crop and a method of producing the vaccine. The method comprises: a) obtaining a nucleic acid sequence encoding a herpes virus antigen; b) introducing the nucleic acid sequence into cereal plant tissue competent to form seeds; c) permitting said cereal plant tissue to develop; and, d) directing preferential expression of the antigen encoded by the nucleic acid sequence in seeds formed by the cereal plant tissue. Herpes viruses antigens of particular interest include all or antigenic portions of gB (from human cytomegalovirus (“HCMV”)), gH (from HCMV), and gD (from herpes simplex virus 1 or 2), as well as antigens from Epstein Barr virus and varicello-zoster virus-8. Envelope glycoproteins from herpes viruses are antigens of interest. Cereal crops of particular interest include rice, wheat, oats, barley, and corn.