Abstract: The present invention provides oligomeric compounds having sufficient complementarity to hybridize to a nucleic acid target and methods for their use in modulating gene expression. In one embodiment the oligomeric compounds comprise double stranded constructs wherein one of the strands capable of hybridizing to a nucleic acid target, and has a plurality of modified ribofuranosyl nucleosides at defined locations. The presence of modifications at such defined positions greatly enhances the properties of the corresponding compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides douse stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: Compositions comprising first and second oligomers are provided wherein at least a portion of the first oligomer is capable of hybridizing with at least a portion of the second oligomer, at least a portion of the first oligomer is complementary to and capable of hybridizing to a selected target nucleic acid, and at least one of the first or second oligomers includes a modification comprising a polycyclic sugar surrogate. Oligomer/protein compositions are also provided comprising an oligomer complementary to and capable of hybridizing to a selected target nucleic acid and at least one protein comprising at least a portion of an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), wherein at least one nucleoside of the oligomer has a polycyclic sugar surrogate modification.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein one of the strands is useful in, for example, influencing the preferential loading the opposite strand into the RISC (or cleavage) complex. In particular, the present invention provides oligomeric compounds that comprise chemical modifications in at least one of the strands to drive loading of the opposite strand into the RISC (or cleavage) complex. Such modifications can be used to increase potency of duplex constructs that have been modified to enhance stability. Examples of chemical modifications that drive loading of the second strand include, but are not limited to, MOE (2?-O(CH2)2OCH3), 2?-O-methyl, -ethyl, -propyl, and —N-methylacetamide. Such modifications can be distributed throughout the strand, or placed at the 5? and/or 3? ends to make a gapmer motif on the sense strand. The activity of the 4?-thio gapmer RNA antisense strand can be improved by incorporating alternating MOE or MOE gapmer motif into the sense strand.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having an alternating motif and another strand having a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif or a positionally modified motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In preferred embodiments the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having an alternating motif and another strand having a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif or a positionally modified motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In preferred embodiments the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having a gapped motif and another strand having a gapped motif, a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif, a positionally modified motif or an alternating motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having an alternating motif and another strand having a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif or a positionally modified motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In preferred embodiments the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides double stranded compositions wherein each strand is modified to have a motif defined by positioning of ?-D-ribonucleosides and sugar modified nucleosides. More particularly, the present compositions comprise one strand having an alternating motif and another strand having a hemimer motif, a blockmer motif, a fully modified motif or a positionally modified motif. At least one of the strands has complementarity to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In preferred embodiments the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection of polymorphisms by substituting a base-modified nucleotide for a natural nucleotide in a polynucleotide. The base-modified nucleotide renders the polynucleotide more susceptible to cleavage at the sites of its incorporation than site consisting of natural nucleotides. The fragments obtained are then analyzed to determine the presence or absence of a polymorphism.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one oligomeric compound comprising an alternating motif and further include a region that is complementary to a nucleic acid target. The compositions are useful for targeting selected nucleic acid molecules and modulating the expression of one or more genes. In preferred embodiments the compositions of the present invention hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA. The present invention also provides methods for modulating gene expression.