Sequences sufficient for programming imprinted germline DNA methylation defined.

Epigenetic marks are fundamental to normal development, but little is known about signals that dictate their placement. Insights have been provided by studies of imprinted loci in mammals, where monoallelic expression is epigenetically controlled. Imprinted expression is regulated by DNA methylation programmed during gametogenesis in a sex-specific manner and maintained after fertilization.

Efficient delivery of small interfering RNA to plant cells by a nanosecond pulsed laser-induced stress wave for posttranscriptional gene silencing.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) induced posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) has been an efficient method for genetic and molecular analysis of certain developmental and physiological processes and represented a potential strategy for both controlling virus replication and developing therapeutic products. However, there are limitations for the methods currently used to deliver siRNA into cells. We report here, to our knowledge, the first efficient delivery of siRNA to plant cells by a nanosecond pulsed laser-induced stress wave (LISW) for posttranscriptional gene silencing.