In mouse, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) can either be imprinted or random. Imprinted XCI (iXCI) is considered unstable and depending on continuous Xist expression, whereas random XCI (rXCI) is stably maintained even in the absence of Xist. Here we have systematically examined epigenetic modifications associated with the inactive X-chromosome (Xi) in Trophoblast Stem cells, eXtra-Embryonic End...

Many questions about the regulation, functional specialization, computational prediction, and evolution of genomic imprinting would be better addressed by having an exhaustive genome-wide catalog of genes that display parent-of-origin differential expression. As a first-pass scan for novel imprinted genes, we performed mRNA-seq experiments on embryonic day 17.5 (E17.5) mouse placenta cDNA sampl...

Polymer nanopillars (40-80 nm in diameter and 100 nm in pitch) were fabricated at high density over large areas directly on bulk tissue culture polystyrene plates using nanoimprint lithography. Nanoporous Si molds for imprinting were generated by transfer from an anodic alumina membrane. Ultrahigh aspect ratio polymer nanopillars were formed in a novel procedure using controlled elongation of t...

A novel liquid photo-polymerization resist was prepared for nanoimprint lithography on transparent flexible plastic substrates. The resist is a mixture of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), methylmethacrylate (MMA), methacylic acid (MAA) and two photo-initiators, (2-isopropyl thioxanthone (ITX) and ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate (EDAB)). The resist can be imprinted at room temperature with a press...

A pentacene-C60 bilayer heterojunction organic photovoltaic device with interpenetrating donor-acceptor interface was fabricated by nanoimprinting the pentacene layer prior to C60 deposition. An amorphous silicon substrate nanostructured using an excimer laser was imprinted onto the pentacene layer at high temperature and pressure, using a nanoimprinting lithography system to form a textured pe...

We propose and demonstrate a nanopatterning technique, laser-assisted nanoimprint lithography ~LAN!, in which the polymer is melted by a single excimer laser pulse and then imprinted by a mold made of fused quartz. LAN has been used to pattern nanostructures in various polymer films on a Si or quartz substrate with high fidelity over the entire mold area. Here we show 200 nm pitch gratings with...

Stress-induced changes in the imprint and switching behavior of ~111!-oriented Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ~PZT!-based capacitors have been studied using piezoresponse force microscopy. Visualization of polarization distribution and d33-loop measurements in individual 131.5-mm 2 capacitors before and after stress application, generated by substrate bending, provided direct experimental evidence of stress-induc...

A DNA methyltransferase has been identified that plays a role in maintaining the methylation status of imprinted genes. Interestingly, although expressed in the unfertilised egg, this enzyme functions only during one round of replication in the eight-cell embryo.

The interactions between lysozyme-imprinted hydrogel and their template protein were studied using adsorption measurements, competitive adsorption experiments, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The results were compared to the interactions between the imprinted polymer and a reference protein, cytochrome c. Experimental adsorption isotherms and competitive adsorption studies detected ...

Rhizopus oryzae lipase (ROL) has a propeptide at its N-terminus that functions as an intramolecular chaperone and facilitates the folding of mature ROL (mROL). In this study, we successfully generated a functionally distinct imprinted mROL (mROLimp) through protein folding memory using a mutated propeptide. The mutated propeptide left its structural memory on mROL and produced mROLimp that exhi...