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 plant 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.

The present invention provides novel agents for broad spectrum influenza neutralization. The present invention provides agents for inhibiting influenza infection by bind to the influenza virus and/or hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides and/or HA receptors, and reagents and methods relating thereto. The present invention provides a system for analyzing interactions between infolds and the interaction partners that bind to them.

The present invention provides for compositions comprising deoptimized influenza viruses and methods of using the composition for the treatment of cancer. Wherein treating a malignant tumor, comprises: administering a deoptimized influenza virus to a subject in need thereof, wherein an HA protein of the deoptimized influenza virus is encoded by a nucleic acid having a specified sequence.