Abstract: The invention concerns methods of introducing specific alterations in the genome of cells that have been removed from a subject suffering from a medical condition that is the result of a genetic lesion. The specific alteration is designed to correct the genetic lesion. The method comprises introducing an oligonucleotide compound, containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, into the cells and thereafter reintroducing the cells into the subject. Specific types of cells include hematopoietic stem cells and hepatocytes. The ribonucleotides of the compound can have 2-substituents that enhance their resistance to RNase.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a polynucleotide having both ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides in a first strand and solely deoxyribonucleotides in a second strand; wherein the strands are Watson-Crick paired and are linked by an oligonucleotide so that the polynucleotide has at most a single 3' and a single 5' end. These ends can be ligated so that the polynucleotide is a single continuous circular polymer. The polynucleotide can be used to induce specific alterations in targeted genes.

Abstract: The application concerns the design and use of small, duplex oligonucleotides and oligomers of nucleotide analogs, termed Chimeric Mutational Vectors (CMV) to effect mutation in a target gene of a eukaryotic cell by homologous recombination between the CMV and the target. The CMV comprises ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides and nucleotide analogs of each (generically "nucleobases"). The application discloses that CMV contain at least two segments of at least 3 ribo-type nucleobases paired to deoxyribo-type nucleobases, which regions flank the region of the CMV that corresponds to the mutation to be introduced into the target gene. The ribo-type nucleobases should preferably be nuclease resistant i.e., other than naturally occurring ribonucleotides. The uses of CMV include gene therapy of genetic diseases and construction of transgenic plants and animals.

Abstract: The invention concerns genes encoding recombinases that can be used to promote homologous recombination in eukaryotic cells and expression vectors that can be used to transiently express recombinases in target cells. One embodiment of the invention encompasses genetically engineered nucleic acids that encode a non-naturally occurring recombinase that causes a greater rate of recombination than does the naturally occurring recombinase. Recombinases from Ustilago maydis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae are specifically included in the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of duplex oligonucleotides having both 2'-deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides, wherein there is base pairing between the two types of nucleotides. The sequence of the oligonucleotide is selected so that the 3' and 5' most regions of the oligonucleotide are homologous with (identical to) the sequence of a preselected target gene of a cell. The two regions of homology embrace a region that is heterologous with the target sequence. The introduction of the oligonucleotide into the nucleus of the cell causes the alteration of the target gene such that the sequence of the altered target gene is the sequence of the heterologous region. Consequently, the oligonucleotides of the invention are termed Chimeric Repair Vectors (CRV). In one embodiment of the invention the target gene is a globin gene and the target cell is a hematopoietic stem cell. This embodiment can be used to correct certain hemoglobinopathies such as Sickle Cell Disease, .beta.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a polynucleotide having both ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides in a first strand and solely deoxyribonucleotides in a second strand; wherein the strands are Watson-Crick paired and are linked by an oligonucleotide so that the polynucleotide has at most a single 3' and a single 5' end. These ends can be ligated so that the polynucleotide is a single continuous circular polymer. The polynucleotide can be used to induce specific alterations in targeted genes.

Abstract: The application concerns the design and use of small, duplex oligonucleotides and oligomers of nucleotide analogs, termed Chimeric Mutational Vectors (CMV) to effect mutation in a target gene of a eukaryotic cell by homologous recombination between the CMV and the target. The CMV comprises ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides and nucleotide analogs of each (generically "nucleobases"). The application discloses that CMV contain at least two segments of at least 3 ribo-type nucleobases paired to deoxyribo-type nucleobases, which regions flank the region of the CMV that corresponds to the mutation to be introduced into the target gene. The ribo-type nucleobases should preferably be nuclease resistant i.e., other than naturally occurring ribonucleotides. The uses of CMV include gene therapy of genetic diseases and construction of transgenic plants and animals.

Abstract: Substantially pure C. albicans topoisomerase I protein is disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules that encode C. albicans topoisomerase I protein, recombinant expression vectors that comprise a nucleic acid sequence that encodes C. albicans topoisomerase I protein, and host cells that comprise recombinant expression vectors that comprise nucleic acid sequences that encode C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules with sequences encoding C. albicans topoisomerase I protein and oligonucleotide molecules that comprise a nucleotide sequence complimentary to fragment of a nucleotide sequence that encodes C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Antibodies which bind to an epitope on C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of C. albicans topoisomerase I protein are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a polynucleotide having both ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides in a first strand and solely deoxyribonucleotides in a second strand; wherein the strands are Watson-Crick paired and are linked by an oligonucleotide so that the polynucleotide has at most a single 3' and a single 5' end. These ends can be ligated so that the polynucleotide is a single continuous circular polymer. The polynucleotide can be used to induce specific alterations in targeted genes.