Abstract: The present invention relates to a first group of novel genes, here identified as genomic address messenger or VGAM genes, and a second group of novel operon-like genes, here identified as viral genomic record or VGR genes. VGAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known ‘target’ genes, many of which are known to be involved in various diseases. Nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding 1560 VGAM genes, and 205 VGR genes, as are vectors and probes both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting VGAM and VGR genes and specific functions and utilities thereof, for detecting expression of VGAM and VGR genes, and for selectively enhancing and selectively inhibiting translation of the respective target genes thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting, sequencing, cloning and otherwise validating nucleic acids, including microRNAs. The methods make use of a plurality of sequence-specific recognition reagents which can also be used for classification of biological samples, and to characterize the expression of certain microRNAs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a first group of novel oligonucleotides, here identified as genomic address messenger or GAM oligonucleotides, and a second group of novel operon-like polynucleotides, here identified as genomic record or GR polynucleotides. GAM oligonucleotides selectively inhibit translation of known target genes, many of which are known to be involved in various diseases. Nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding 1708 GAM oligonucleotides, and 246 GR polynucleotides as are vectors and probes both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting GAM oligonucleotides and GR polynucleotide and specific functions and utilities thereof, for detecting expression of GAM oligonucleotides and GR polynucleotides and for selectively enhancing and selectively inhibiting translation of the respective target genes thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a group of novel viral RNA regulatory genes, here identified as “viral genomic address messenger genes” or “VGAM genes”, and as “genomic record” or “GR” genes. VGAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known host target genes, and are believed to represent a novel pervasive viral attack mechanism. GR genes encode an operon-like cluster of VGAM genes. VGAM and viral GR genes may therefore be useful in diagnosing, preventing and treating viral disease. Several nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding several VGAM genes, as are vectors and probes, both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting VGAM genes, and for counteracting their activity.