Abstract: Modified oligonucleotides having a conserved G4 sequence and a sufficient number of flanking nucleotides to significantly inhibit the activity of a virus are provided. G4 quartet oligonucleotide structures are also provided. Methods of prophylaxis, diagnostics and therapeutics for viral-associated diseases are also provided.

Abstract: Modified oligonucleotides having a GGG motif sequence and a sufficient number of flanking nucleotides to modulate the telomere length of a chromosome are provided. Methods of modulating telomere length of a mammalian chromosome in vitro and in vivo are also provided, as are methods for inhibiting the division of a malignant mammalian cell and for modulating the effects of cellular aging.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified oligonucleotides having a GGG motif sequence and a sufficient number of flanking nucleotides to modulate the telomere length of a chromosome are provided. Methods of modulating telomere length of a mammalian chromosome in vitro and in vivo are also provided, as are methods for inhibiting the division of a malignant mammalian cell and for modulating the effects of cellular aging.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to and hybridizable with at least a portion of HCV RNA and which are capable of inhibiting the function of the HCV RNA. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus, and for diagnosis and detection of HCV and HCV-associated diseases. Methods of using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified oligonucleotides having a conserved G.sub.4 sequence and a sufficient number of flanking nucleotides to significantly inhibit the activity of a virus such as HSV-1 or phospholipase A.sub.2 or to modulate the telomere length of a chromosome are provided. G.sub.4 quartet oligonucleotide structures are also provided. Methods of prophylaxis, diagnosis and therapeutics for viral-associated diseases and diseases associated with elevated levels of phospholipase A.sub.2 are also provided. Methods of modulating telomere length of a chromosome are also provided; modulation of telomere length is believed to plat a role in the aging process of a cell and in control of malignant cell growth.

Abstract: Methods useful for the determination of oligomers which have specific activity for a target molecule from a pool of primarily randomly assembled subunits are provided. The disclosed methods involve repeated syntheses of increasingly simplified sets of oligomers coupled with selection procedures for determining oligomers having the highest activity. Freedom from the use of enzymes allows the application of these methods to any molecules which can be oligomerized in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of herpesvirus infections. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with RNA or DNA deriving from a herpesvirus gene corresponding to one of the open reading frames UL5, UL8, UL9, UL20, UL27, UL29, UL30, UL42, UL52 and IE175 of herpes simplex virus type 1. The oligonucleotide comprises nucleotide units sufficient in identity and number to effect said specific hybridization. In other preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides are specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, a coding region or a 5'-untranslated region. Methods of treating animals suspected of being infected with herpesvirus comprising contacting the animal with an oligonucleotide of the invention are disclosed.