Abstract: The present invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds with at least one blunt end comprising at least one 3?-end of formula 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotide microarrays comprising short chemically modified RNA oligonucleotides and uses of such microarrays in genomics applications. More specifically, the invention provides an oligonucleotide array comprising a surface and a plurality of oligonucleotide, wherein at least one oligonucleotide has at least one modified sugar moiety at the 2'OH position. The microarrays of the invention are more specifically useful to detect small RNAs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the parallel synthesis of oligonucleotides on an alkylamino-modified matrix surface, characterized in that 3-succinate derivatives of protected nucleosides are applied thereto and oligonucleotide synthesis takes place by means of automated DNA synthesis. The invention also concerns the use of the oligomer chip formed in the process.

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 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.