Abstract: Commercial production of human insulin can be effected via transgenic expression in plant seeds. Thus, levels of insulin accumulation exceeding 0.1% of total cellular protein can be achieved recombinantly, through expression of the insulin with a single-chain antibody as a fusion partner. Production in seeds offers flexibility in storage and shipment of insulin as a raw material, and insulin retains its activity upon extraction from stored seed. Further, the amount of biomass subjected to extraction is limited, due to the relatively low water content of plant seeds.

Abstract: Commercial production of human insulin can be affected via transgenic expression in plant seeds. Thus, levels of insulin accumulation exceeding 0.1% of total cellular protein can be achieved recombinantly, through expression of the insulin with a single-chain antibody as a fusion partner. Production in seeds offers flexibility in storage and shipment of insulin as a raw material, and insulin retains its activity upon extraction from stored seed. Further, the amount of biomass subjected to extraction is limited, due to the relatively low water content of plant seeds.

Abstract: Methods for the production of insulin in plants are described. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the expression of insulin in plants comprising: (a) providing a chimeric nucleic acid construct comprising in the 5? to 3? direction of transcription as operably linked components: (i) a nucleic acid sequence capable of controlling expression in plant seed cells; and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insulin polypeptide; (b) introducing the chimeric nucleic acid construct into a plant cell; and (c) growing the plant cell into a mature plant capable of setting seed wherein the seed expresses insulin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for severing a length of insulating batting and simultaneously cutting only the insulating material thereof is provided. The insulating material between the severed edge of the insulation batting and the cutting line through the insulating material can be removed to expose a length of backing which can be secured to the uncut portion of the insulation batting length when the insulation batting length is wrapped around a length of a heating and cooling duct or the like. The apparatus includes a pair of rotating cutting wheels rotatably mounted on a carriage movable along an elongate carriage rail. A pinion gear mounted to each rotating cutting wheel for rotation therewith meshes with a rack secured to the elongate carriage rail to cause rotation of the rotating cutting wheel in response to movement of the carriage along the carriage rail.