Abstract: Compounds for treating hepatitis B infections. The compounds consist of nucleoside analogues having anti-hepatitis B activity which are linked, commonly through a 5′ phosphate of the pentose residue, to one of a selected group of lipids. The lipophilic nature of these compounds provides an advantage over the use of the nucleoside analogue alone, making it possible to incorporate them into the lamellar structure of liposomes, either alone or in combination with similar lipid molecules. In the form of appropriately sized liposomes, these anti-hepatitis B agents are preferentially taken up by the liver cells which have been found to harbor the target virus.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to TGF&bgr;, PDGF and hKGF. Included in the invention are specific RNA and ssDNA ligands to TGF&bgr;1 and PDGF identified by the SELEX method. Also included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to hKGF identified by the SELEX method. Further included are RNA ligands that inhibit the interaction of TGF&bgr;1 and hKGF with their receptors and DNA ligands that inhibit the interaction of PDGF with its receptor.

Abstract: Nucleic acid ligands containing modified nucleotides are described as are methods for producing such oligonucleotides. Such ligands enrich the chemical diversity of the candidate mixture for the SELEX process. Specific examples are provided of nucleic acids containing nucleotides modified at the 2′- and 5-position. Specific 2-OH and 2′-NH2 modified RNA ligands to thrombin are described.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands for EXponential Enrichment) method for identifying and preparing nucleic acid ligands to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and thrombin. Included in the invention are nucleic acid ligands to bFGF which are inhibitors of bFGF and 2′-amino-modified RNA ligands to bFGF. Further included in the present invention are modified nucleotide sequences to thrombin based on the sequences of the RNA ligands identified. The modified RNA ligands to bFGF and thrombin exhibit increased in vivo stability.

Abstract: The presence of a target in a test mixture or the concentration of such target can be determined by a method relying on fluorescence emission measurement. Such method utilizes a nucleic acid ligand to the target and a ligand beacon comprising: i) a nucleic acid sequence complimentary to at least a portion of said nucleic acid ligand, ii) a fluorescent group, and iii) a fluorescence-modifying group. The emission profile of the ligand beacon is altered based on the presence and/or concentration change of the target in the test mixture.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating nucleic acid ligands of CD40ligand. The methods of the invention use the SELEX method for the isolation of nucleic acid ligands. The invention also includes nucleic acid ligands to CD40ligand, and methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of disease using the nucleic acid ligands.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a complex comprised of a VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand and a Lipophilic Compound by identifying a VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand by SELEX methodology and associating the VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand with a Lipophilic Compound. The invention further discloses Complexes comprising one or more VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligands in association with a Lipophilic Compound. The invention further includes a Lipid construct comprising a VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand or Complex and methods for making the same.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a therapeutic or diagnostic complex comprised of a nucleic acid ligand and a lipophilic compound or non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound by identifying a nucleic acid ligand by SELEX methodology and associating the nucleic acid ligand with a lipophilic compound or a non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound. The invention further discloses complexes comprising one or more nucleic acid ligands in association with a lipophilic compound or non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound.

Abstract: Modified nucleosides and methods of making and using the nucleosides are disclosed. The compounds can be prepared by reacting nucleoside starting materials that contain a suitable leaving group at one or more of the carbon atoms in the purine or pyrimidine ring, with a vinylstannane, carbon monoxide, and a palladium catalyst to provide 1-ene-3-one intermediates. These intermediates are then reacted with suitably functionalized primary or secondary amines via a Michael reaction. When the intermediate is a 5-position modified pyrimidine ring, and the amine contains a second hydrogen, it can do a second Michael reaction with the ene-one or the ene-imine in the pyrimidine ring. Appropriate modification of the amine reactant can yield products with various bioactivities. The nucleosides can be used therapeutically as anti-cancer, anti-bacterial or anti-viral drugs. The nucleosides can also be used for diagnostic applications, for example, by incorporating a radiolabel or fluorescent label into the molecule.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands to Complement System Proteins. Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands to Complement System Proteins C1q, C3 and C5. Included in the invention arc specific RNA ligands to C1q, C3 and C5 identified by the SELEX method.

Abstract: This invention discloses high-affinity oligonucleotide ligands to complex tissue targets, specifically nucleic acid ligands having the ability to bind to complex tissue targets, and the methods for obtaining such ligands. Tissue targets comprise cells, subcellular components, aggregates or cells, collections of cells, and higher ordered structures. Specifically, nucleic acid ligands to blood vessels are described.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to TGF.beta.. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to TGF.beta.1 identified by the SELEX method. Also included are RNA ligands that inhibit the interaction of TGF.beta.1 with its receptor.

Abstract: A liposome formulation containing a Vinca Alkaloid and an anion in an aqueous phase of the liposome. The liposomes also comprise distearoylphosphatidyl choline, cholesterol and disteraroylphosphatidylglycerol. A method for enhancing the efficacy and tumor targeting properties of liposomal vinca alkaloid formulations containing unilamellar vesicles.

Abstract: A new class of nucleic acid compounds, referred to as nucleic acid ligands, have been shown to exist that have a specific binding affinity for three dimensional molecular targets, including cell surface macromolecules. The nucleic acid ligands are identified by the method of the invention referred to as the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), wherein a candidate mixture of nucleic acids are iteratively enriched and the high affinity nucleic acids are amplified for further partitioning. The high affinity nucleic acid ligands are useful in capturing target cells.

Abstract: This invention comprises nucleic acid ligand for use as a diagnostic reagent for detecting the presence or absence of a target molecule in a sample, and a diagnostic reagent to measure the amount of a target molecule in a sample. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acid ligands are identified by the method of the invention referred to as the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), wherein a candidate mixture of nucleic acids are iteratively enriched in high affinity nucleic acids and amplified by further partitioning.

Abstract: A method is described for generating blended nucleic acid ligands containing non-nucleic acid functional units. Specifically, a SELEX identified RNA ligand to the integrin gpIIbIIIa is conjugated to the peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Pro (SEQ ID NO:1). This blended RNA ligand inhibits the biological activity of gpIIbIIIa with high specificity. Also described is a single-stranded DNA ligand to elastase coupled to N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-chloromethyl (SEQ ID NO:3) ketone. This elastase blended nucleic acid ligand inhibits the biological activity of elastase.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for coevolving products from two or more reactants, along with the nucleic acid that can facilitate the reaction for making the products. The invention further discloses the products and facilitating nucleic acids produced by said method.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for coevolving products from two or more reactants, along with the nucleic acid that can facilitate the reaction for making the products. The invention further discloses the products and facilitating nucleic acids produced by said method.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to cytokines. Included in the invention are specific nucleic acid ligands to IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and RANTES.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for the preparation of 2'-modified nucleosides, using a palladium catalyst and an alkene functionalized with a heteroatom. Included in the invention are the novel pyrimidines and purines that can be prepared according to the method of the invention and oligonucleotides containing said modified pyrimidines and purines.