Abstract: The present invention encompasses the finding that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate certain key proteins involved in DNA repair. In some embodiments, a miRNA suppresses levels and/or activity of one or more DNA repair proteins. In some such embodiments, such suppression renders cells hypersensitive to certain DNA damage agents (e.g., ?-irradiation and genotoxic drugs, among others). The present invention provides various reagents and methods associated with these findings including, among other things, strategies for treating cell proliferative disorders, certain diagnostic systems, etc.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the finding that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate certain key proteins involved in DNA repair. In some embodiments, a miRNA suppresses levels and/or activity of one or more DNA repair proteins. In some such embodiments, such suppression renders cells hypersensitive to certain DNA damage agents (e.g., ?-irradiation and genotoxic drugs, among others). The present invention provides various reagents and methods associated with these findings including, among other things, strategies for treating cell proliferative disorders, certain diagnostic systems, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for identifying, isolating, and/or characterizing microRNAs, their targets, and microRNA response elements, and for predicting their biological function.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to siRNAs, e.g., methods and compositions relating to the production of siRNAs in bacterial cells.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for the inhibition of retroviral integration and replication. The methods and compositions inhibit the activity of one or more components of the SET complex or base excision repair enzymes and induce autointegration of retroviral double-stranded nucleic acid.

Abstract: Methods that enable one to specifically measure the metabolic product of a particular molecule in relatively few cells, e.g. primary cells, are described. The methods involve optionally preloading cells with labeled substrate (e.g. labeled by 13C, 15N, or 31P). The methods allow for easy identification of metabolites that are differentially generated in cells of different phenotypes. The new methods for unbiased multi-dimensional NMR screening and rapid and efficient analysis of the NMR screening identify differentially expressed metabolites in different cell or tissue types. Analysis of the differentially expressed metabolites can present unique druggable targets to which small molecule therapeutics can be designed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to treat or prevent cancers in a subject, in particular the present invention relates to a method of treating and/or preventing cancer comprising targeting cancer stem cells by administering miRNAs which have reduced expression or are lacking in the cancer stem cells. In some embodiments, the miRNAs that are reduced or lacking in cancer stem cells are let-7 miRNAs. In alternative embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of treating and/or preventing cancer comprising targeting cancer stem cells by administering miRNAs which have increased expression levels in the cancer stem cells. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to enrich for a cancer stem cell population. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to identify miRNAs which contribute to the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of RNA interference, which comprises contacting the cell with a fusion protein-double stranded RNA complex, the complex comprising the double stranded RNA segment containing a double stranded RNA of interest and a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising (1) a targeting moiety, which will specifically binds to a site on a target cell, and (2) a binding moiety, which will bind to the double stranded RNA, wherein the double stranded RNA segment initiates RNA interference in the cell.

Abstract: Described herein are novel malignancy associated gene signature biomarkers, and assays and methods thereof, to classify prognosis or malignant potential of a cancer and identify cancer-initiating cells. The malignancy associated gene signature biomarkers, assays and methods described herein provide, in part, new methodologies to screen for novel drugs for treating cancers and tumors, such as, for example, triple-negative breast tumors. Using the assays and methods described herein proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and glycolysis inhibitors, were identified as being highly effective in altering gene expression signatures specifically in malignant or cancer-initiating cells.

Abstract: The invention provides aptamer-gene modulator conjugates, where the aptamer and the gene modulator are linked together. The invention further provides a method for cell-specific delivery of gene modulators to hard to transfect cells such as CD4+ cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of RNA interference, which comprises contacting the cell with a fusion protein-double stranded RNA complex, the complex comprising the double stranded RNA segment containing a double stranded RNA of interest and a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising (1) a targeting moiety, which will specifically binds to a site on a target cell, and (2) a binding moiety, which will bind to the double stranded RNA, wherein the double stranded RNA segment initiates RNA interference in the cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are is a leukocyte-selective delivery agent comprising, a targeting moiety that selectively binds LFA-I, a protein carrier moiety covalently linked to the targeting moiety, and a therapeutic agent associated with the carrier moiety. The delivery agent may be further selective for activated leukocytes, wherein the targeting moiety selectively binds LFA-I in its activated conformation. The targeting moiety comprises an antibody or functional fragment thereof, such as an scFV. Examples of antibodies or fragments thereof which selectively bind LFA-I activated conformation bind to the locked open I domain of LFA-I, or binds to the leg domain of the ?2 subunit of LFA-I ((ILP2)—The antibody or functional fragment thereof may alternatively bind non-selectively to both low affinity and high affinity LFA-I. Examples of a non-protein carrier are a basic polypeptide such as protamine or a functional fragment thereof. One such fragment is RSQSRSRYYRQRQRSRRRRRRS.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of hematopoietic malignancies. The compositions are miRNAs and associated nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of RNA interference, which comprises contacting the cell with a fusion protein-double stranded RNA complex, the complex comprising the double stranded RNA segment containing a double stranded RNA of interest and a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising (1) a targeting moiety, which will specifically binds to a site on a target cell, and (2) a binding moiety, which will bind to the double stranded RNA, wherein the double stranded RNA segment initiates RNA interference in the cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of RNA interference, which comprises contacting the cell with a fusion protein-double stranded RNA complex, the complex comprising the double stranded RNA segment containing a double stranded RNA of interest and a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising (1) a targeting moiety, which will specifically binds to a site on a target cell, and (2) a binding moiety, which will bind to the double stranded RNA, wherein the double stranded RNA segment initiates RNA interference in the cell.

Abstract: Fusion protein-siRNA complexes that specifically target activated T cells, and methods of use thereof, are described.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbicidal composition comprising at least one siRNA. The siRNA is an RNA duplex made of one or two molecules. A portion of the siRNA is identical to a target sequence in an essential gene of a virus. The virus may be a herpesvirus, for example, HSV-1 or HSV-2. Preferably, the herpesvirus is HSV-2. The microbicidal composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also included in the invention are methods to prevent and treat viral infections by administration of the microbicidal composition. Preferably, the microbicidal composition is administered transmucosally.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the finding that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate certain key proteins involved in DNA repair. In some embodiments, a miRNA suppresses levels and/or activity of one or more DNA repair proteins. In some such embodiments, such suppression renders cells hypersensitive to certain DNA damage agents (e.g., ?-irradiation and genotoxic drugs, among others). The present invention provides various reagents and methods associated with these findings including, among other things, strategies for treating cell proliferative disorders, certain diagnostic systems, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems for identifying, isolating, and/or characterizing targets of micro RNAs.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for the inhibition of retroviral integration and replication. The methods and compositions inhibit the activity of one or more components of the SET complex or base excision repair enzymes and induce autointegration of retroviral double-stranded nucleic acid.