Developing subunit vaccines in plants; targeting and regulation of antigenic proteins; enhancing nutritional quality of crops using genomic and transgenic approaches. Our laboratory is focusing on the use of plant systems for production and delivery of subunit vaccines against human and animal pathogens. Specifically, we are developing transgenic plants expressing antigenic determinants of epitopes that are immunogenic, and providing protective immunity against these pathogens. Using plants as "bioreactors" for production of these subunit vaccines contributes not only to a cost-effective and safe production system, but also provides an alternative delivery system for these vaccines. Oral delivery of these plant-based vaccines leads to stimulation of the mucosal immune system, which is first line of defense against invading pathogens entering the body via mucosal membranes of the nose, mouth, and other openings. This oral delivery also primes the humoral immune system as well. Our laboratory is focusing on targeting the production of these subunit vaccines into edible parts of the plant, as well as targeting the antigenic protein in these vaccines to the mucosal tissues of the lumen to enhance its immunogenicity. In other research, we are using functional genomics to investigate nutritional components in crops. Moreover, we are developing transgenic plants with enhanced and/or modified nutritional contents.