Abstract: Methods for producing reassortant viruses are provided wherein the transcription and/or translation of the hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase genes are suppressed.

Abstract: Methods for producing reassortant viruses are provided wherein the transcription and/or translation of the hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase genes are suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds with at least one blunt end comprising at least one 3?-end of Formula (I): wherein X is O or S R1 and R2 are independently OH, NH2, SH, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms and functional groups, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S or a functional group selected from the group OH, NH2, SH, carboxylic acid or ester; or R1 and R2 may be of formula Y-Z where Y is O, N, S and Z is H, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S; and wherein said double-stranded RNA mediates RNA interference. Preferred 3?end modifications are: phosphate, phosphorothioate, abasic ribonucleoside, hydroxyphopyl phosphodiester.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the sulfurization of phosphorus-containing compounds. More particularly, the process involves contacting the compound to be sulfurized with a sulfur transfer reagent as defined hereinbefore in a solvent or a mixture of solvents.

Abstract: The invention provides ribonucleoside derivatives with novel protecting groups and methods for the preparation of such ribonucleoside derivatives. The general formula (I) of the ribonucleoside derivatives is: wherein R1 is a base of the purine- or pyrimidine-family or a derivative of such a base or any other residue with serves as a nucleobase surrogate, R2 is a proton or a substituted derivative of phosphonic acid, R3 is a proton or a protection-group for the oxygen atom in 5?-position, R4, R5 and R6 are independently alkyl or aryl or a combination of alkyl and aryl or heteroatom, R4, R5 or R6 may also be cyclically connected to each other; and wherein at least one of the R4, R5 or R6 substituents comprises a tertiary C-atom or a heteroatom vicinal to the Si-atom.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the downregulation of target genes by an RNA interference mechanism using short single stranded RNA and a cationic polymer, such as linear PEI.

Abstract: The invention discloses Mob-5 as a suitable target for the development of new therapeutics to treat or ameliorate chronic pain. The invention relates to methods to treat and/or ameliorate chronic pain and pharmaceutical compositions therefor comprising modulators with inhibitory or stimulatory effect on Mob-5 activity and/or Mob-5 gene expression. The invention also relates to a method to identify compounds with therapeutic usefulness to treat chronic pain, comprising identifying compounds that can inhibit or stimulate Mob-5 activity and/or gene expression which can also reverse the pathological effects of chronic pain in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reporter construct useful for the identification of oligo- or polynucleotides that modulate the expression of a target nucleic acid. In particular, in one embodiment, it is directed to a screening assay for the identification of oligo- or polynucleotides that modulate the expression of a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Process for the selective separation of electrically charged target molecules in an analytical mixture by means of capillary affinity gel electrophoresis, using a capillary tube which is at least partly filled with a polymer gel, whereby receptors for target molecules are covalently bound to the polymer, and an electric field of at least 50 volts/cm is applied, characterized in that (a) the capillary tube is charged with the analytical mixture, (b) in a first separation stage the target molecules in the analytical mixture are bound to the receptors and the remaining components are eluted, optionally while splitting open, and (c) in a second stage of the process the elution conditions are changed, optionally in stages, so that the affinity of the target molecules for the receptor is eliminated and the target molecules are eluted and detected, optionally whilst splitting open.