Abstract: The present invention provides CpG islands and GC rich regions and methods for identifying methylation states for these CpG islands and GC rich regions. The present invention also provides methods for identifying genes regulated by these CpG islands and GC rich regions, and provides methods for identifying a population of CpG islands and GC rich regions in a genome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targets of loss of imprinting (LOI) affected IGF2 gene products in pre-malignant tissues, where methods of inhibiting those targets, including IGFR1, are disclosed to prevent tumor development in subjects at risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The present invention also relates to methods of identifying increased risk in developing CRC in a subject, including methods of assessing the efficacy of a chemotherapeutic regimen. Further, the present invention relates to methods for identifying anti-neoplastic agents.

Abstract: Genomic imprinting is a parent of origin-dependent gene silencing that involves marking of alleles in the germline and differential expression in somatic cells of the offspring. Imprinted genes and abnormal imprinting have been implicated in development, human disease, and embryonic stem cell transplantation. We have established a model system for genomic imprinting using pluripotent 8.5 d.p.c. mouse embryonic germ (EG) cell lines derived from an interspecific cross. We find that allele-specific imprinted gene expression has been lost in these cells. However, partial restoration of allele-specific silencing can occur for some imprinted genes after in vitro differentiation of EG cells into somatic cell lineages, indicating the presence of a gametic memory that is separable from allele-specific gene silencing. We have also generated a library containing most methylated CpG islands.

Abstract: Provided herein are tissue-specific differential methylated regions (T-DMRs) and cancer-related differential methylated regions (C-DMRs) and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, there are provided methods of detecting a cell proliferative disorder by detecting altered methylation in one or more DMRs identified herein. In another embodiment of the invention, there are provided methods of determining clinical outcome by detecting altered methylation in one or more DMRs identified herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject. The methods include analyzing a first biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject for loss of imprinting of the IGF2 gene. According to the methods a loss of imprinting is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer. The method can include analyzing genomic DNA from the sample for altered methylation of the IGF2 gene. The altered methylation for example includes hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of IGF2, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a polymorphism thereof. The method can be performed on a subject having no apparent or suspected hyperproliferative disorder such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject. The methods include analyzing a first biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject for loss of imprinting of the IGF2 gene. According to the methods a loss of imprinting is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer. The method can include analyzing genomic DNA from the sample for altered methylation of the IGF2 gene. The altered methylation for example includes hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of IGF2, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a polymorphism thereof. The method can be performed on a subject having no apparent or suspected hyperproliferative disorder such as cancer.

Abstract: Genomic imprinting is a parent of origin-dependent gene silencing that involves marking of alleles in the germline and differential expression in somatic cells of the offspring. Imprinted genes and abnormal imprinting have been implicated in development, human disease, and embryonic stem cell transplantation. We have established a model system for genomic imprinting using pluripotent 8.5 d.p.c. mouse embryonic germ (EG) cell lines derived from an interspecific cross. We find that allele-specific imprinted gene expression has been lost in these cells. However, partial restoration of allele-specific silencing can occur for some imprinted genes after in vitro differentiation of EG cells into somatic cell lineages, indicating the presence of a gametic memory that is separable from allele-specific gene silencing. We have also generated a library containing most methylated CpG islands.

Abstract: Genomic imprinting is a parent of origin-dependent gene silencing that involves marking of alleles in the germline and differential expression in somatic cells of the offspring. Imprinted genes and abnormal imprinting have been implicated in development, human disease, and embryonic stem cell transplantation. We have established a model system for genomic imprinting using pluripotent 8.5 d.p.c. mouse embryonic germ (EG) cell lines derived from an interspecific cross. We find that allele-specific imprinted gene expression has been lost in these cells. However, partial restoration of allele-specific silencing can occur for some imprinted genes after in vitro differentiation of EG cells into somatic cell lineages, indicating the presence of a gametic memory that is separable from allele-specific gene silencing. We have also generated a library containing most methylated CpG islands.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject. The methods include analyzing a first biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject for loss of imprinting of the IGF2 gene. According to the methods a loss of imprinting is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer. The method can include analyzing genomic DNA from the sample for altered methylation of the IGF2 or the H19 gene. The altered methylation for example includes hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of IGF2, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 and/or a polymorphism or fragment thereof, or hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of H19 corresponding to SEQ ID NO:6, or a polymorphism, or fragment thereof. In certain aspects, hypomethylation of the H19 DMR or the IGF2 DMR indicates an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying an increased risk of developing cancer in a subject. The methods include analyzing a first biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject for loss of imprinting of the IGF2 gene. According to the methods a loss of imprinting is indicative of an increased risk of developing cancer. The method can include analyzing genomic DNA from the sample for altered methylation of the IGF2 gene. The altered methylation for example includes hypomethylation of a differentially methylated region of IGF2, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 or a polymorphism thereof. The method can be performed on a subject having no apparent or suspected hyperproliferative disorder such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides CpG islands and GC rich regions and methods for identifying methylation states for these CpG islands and GC rich regions. The present invention also provides methods for identifying genes regulated by these CpG islands and GC rich regions, and provides methods for identifying a population of CpG islands and GC rich regions in a genome.

Abstract: An optical scanning device (1) for reading data stored on a rotating recording medium (2) having a scanning head (10); at least one guide device (11) for guiding the scanning head (10) along a predefined track; at least one bearing device (12) connected to the scanning head (10) for supporting the at least one guide device (11) and having at least one elastic prestressing device (13) to provide a static prestress on the at least one guide device (11) to prestress the same and the at least one bearing device (12) connected to the scanning head (10) against each other to eliminate a relative displacement.

Abstract: Genomic imprinting is a parent of origin-dependent gene silencing that involves marking of alleles in the germline and differential expression in somatic cells of the offspring. Imprinted genes and abnormal imprinting have been implicated in development, human disease, and embryonic stem cell transplantation. We have established a model system for genomic imprinting using pluripotent 8.5 d.p.c. mouse embryonic germ (EG) cell lines derived from an interspecific cross. We find that allele-specific imprinted gene expression has been lost in these cells. However, partial restoration of allele-specific silencing can occur for some imprinted genes after in vitro differentiation of EG cells into somatic cell lineages, indicating the presence of a gametic memory that is separable from allele-specific gene silencing. We have also generated a library containing most methylated CpG islands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a kit for the purpose of diagnosing a disease or determining the predisposition for a disease by measuring abnormalities in imprinting of a gene or population of genes. The disease that can be diagnosed by the present invention is selected from any disease that is mediated by, or is associated with, a particular gene or combination of genes that are subject to imprinting. According the present invention, the imprinting can be abnormally on or can be abnormally off. In those cases where the particular gene that is being examined is normally imprinted, but in the disease state is abnormally not imprinted, the present invention is designed to detect the “loss of imprinting” (hereinafter “LOI”) thereby indicating that the disease may be present.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a kit for the purpose of diagnosing a disease or determining the predisposition for a disease by measuring abnormalities in imprinting of a gene or population of genes. The disease that can be diagnosed by the present invention is selected from any disease that is mediated by, or is associated with, a particular gene or combination of genes that are subject to imprinting. According the present invention, the imprinting can be abnormally on or can be abnormally off. In those cases where the particular gene that is being examined is normally imprinted, but in the disease state is abnormally not imprinted, the present invention is designed to detect the “loss of imprinting” (hereinafter “LOI”) thereby indicating that the disease may be present.

Abstract: Introducing a chromosome or chromosome fragment having a size of 25 to 500 Mb and containing a selectable marker into a female muntjac cell which has been immortalized with a nonviral vector, a chemical treatment, or a radiation treatment permits the easy purification of the chromosome or chromosome fragment.

Abstract: Superfragments of chromosomal DNA having 1 million to 100 million base pairs may be formed by irradiating microcells containing a chromosome with a high dose of .gamma.-irradiation. Such superfragments are useful for the rapid cloning of genes.