Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of genetic fingerprinting and more particularly to a method of establishing a methylation signature for a particular eukaryotic cell or group of cells such as in the form of tissue cells or organ-specific cells. The method of the present invention exploits the sensitivity of certain restriction enzymes to methylation. Exposure of genomic or transgene DNA to these enzymes followed by amplification results in products which establish the methylation signature or profile (i.e. the methylome profile) of a cell's or group of cells' genome when compared to the amplified genome in undigested form. The method of the present invention is useful inter alia in phenotyping a cell based on its methylation signature and provides a useful tool in functional genomics and for the design of therapeutic and trait-modifying protocols, particularly for animals and plants.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules capable of modifying phenotypic traits in eukaryotic cells and in particular plant cells are described. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are referred to as “phenotype modifying genetic sequences” or “PMGSs” and may be used to increase and/or stabilise or otherwise facilitate expression of nucleotide sequences being expressed into a translation product. Alternatively, PMGSs may be used to down regulate by, for example, promoting transcript degradation via mechanisms such as co-suppression. In plant and non-plant cells, the PMGSs of the invention may also be used to inhibit, reduce or otherwise down regulate expression of a nucleotide sequence, such as a eukaryotic gene, including a pathogen gene, the expression of which results in an undesired phenotype.