Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an array of nucleic acid molecules, the expression profiles of which characterise the anatomical origin of a cell or population of cells within the large intestine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an array of nucleic acid molecules, the expression profiles of which characterise the proximal or distal origin of a cell or population of cells within the large intestine. The expression profiles of the present invention are useful in a range of applications including, but not limited to determining the anatomical origin of a cell or population of cells which have been derived from the large intestine. Still further, since the progression of a normal cell towards a neoplastic state is often characterised by phenotypic de-differentiation, the method of the present invention also provides a means of identifying a cellular abnormality based on the expression of an incorrect expression profile relative to that which should be expressed by the subject cells when considered in light of their anatomical location within the colon. Accordingly, this aspect of the invention provides a valuable means of identifying the existence of large intestine colon cells, these being indicative of an abnormality within the large intestine such as the onset or predisposition to the onset of a condition such as a colorectal neoplasm.

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First Claim