Abstract: Wound healing is a complex homeostatic process in which several distinct types coordinate to repair a physical damage. Failure to close wounds contributes to the pathology of conditions like diabetes mellitus, particularly in the elderly. Presented herein are molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for applying small RNA oligonucleotide technology to wound healing. Small RNA oligonucleotide approaches as disclosed herein provide a therapeutic strategy for improving both basal and pathological wound healing.

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex homeostatic process in which several distinct types coordinate to repair a physical damage. Failure to close wounds contributes to the pathology of conditions like diabetes mellitus, particularly in the elderly. Presented herein are molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for applying small RNA oligonucleotide technology to wound healing. Small RNA oligonucleotide approaches as disclosed herein provide a therapeutic strategy for improving both basal and pathological wound healing.

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex homeostatic process in which several distinct types coordinate to repair a physical damage. Failure to close wounds contributes to the pathology of conditions like diabetes mellitus, particularly in the elderly. Presented herein are molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for applying small RNA oligonucleotide technology to wound healing. Small RNA oligonucleotide approaches as disclosed herein provide a therapeutic strategy for improving both basal and pathological wound healing.

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex homeostatic process in which several distinct types coordinate to repair a physical damage. Failure to close wounds contributes to the pathology of conditions like diabetes mellitus, particularly in the elderly. Presented herein are molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for applying small RNA oligonucleotide technology to wound healing. Small RNA oligonucleotide approaches as disclosed herein provide a therapeutic strategy for improving both basal and pathological wound healing.

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex homeostatic process in which several distinct types coordinate to repair a physical damage. Failure to close wounds contributes to the pathology of conditions like diabetes mellitus, particularly in the elderly. Presented herein are molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for applying small RNA oligonucleotide technology to wound healing. Small RNA oligonucleotide approaches as disclosed herein provide a therapeutic strategy for improving both basal and pathological wound healing.

Abstract: Methods, systems and compositions are provided for analyzing one or more nucleic acid molecules. The methods, systems and compositions may comprise one or more target specific-oligonucleotide probes (TSPs). The TSPs may hybridize to nucleic acid molecules that are less than or equal to 200 nucleotides in length. The nucleic acid molecules may be small RNA molecules (e.g., miRNA, ncRNA, siRNA, shRNA). The methods, systems and compositions fmd use in a number of applications, for example, isolation of nucleic acid molecules, analysis of low abundance nucleic acid molecules, and/or enrichment of nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and affects over 270 million individuals worldwide. The HCV genome is a single-stranded RNA that functions as both a messenger RNA and replication template, making it an attractive target for the study of RNA interference. Double-stranded short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules designed to target the HCV genome are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method is described for generating blended nucleic acid ligands containing non-nucleic acid functional units. Specifically, a SELEX identified RNA ligand to the integrin gpIIbIIIa is conjugated to the peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Pro (SEQ ID NO:1). This blended RNA ligand inhibits the biological activity of gpIIbIIIa with high specificity. Also described is a single-stranded DNA ligand to elastase coupled to N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-chloromethyl ketone (SEQ ID NO:2). This elastase blended nucleic acid ligand inhibits the biological activity of elastase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNA interference and methods for selecting interfering RNAs. The present invention also relates to modified interfering RNAs. The present invention also relates to methods of reducing the level of a specific mRNA in a cell, methods for reducing the level of a specific protein in a cell, and methods of regulating gene expression. The present invention also relates to methods of screening libraries for an interfering RNA of interest and methods of screening libraries based on a gene function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-natural cis- and trans-cleaving hammerhead ribozymes and methods for selecting non-natural ribozymes. The present invention also relates to methods of cleaving a target RNA, methods for reducing the level of a target RNA in a cell, and methods of reducing the level of a protein in a cell. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the non-natural ribozymes of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction of an allosteric control module in which a catalytic RNA forms a part of or is linked to an effector-binding RNA domain or aptamer. These constructs place the activity of the catalytic RNA under the control of the effector and require the presence of an appropriate effector for activation or inactivation. The present invention provides means to identify useful effector molecules as well as their use to evolve cognate aptamers. The invention involves both the evolution of RNA sequences which bind the effector and a selection proces in which the allosteric control modules are identified by their catalytic function in the presence and absence of the effector. The resulting regulatable catalytic RNAs may be used to alter the expression of a target RNA molecule in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and affects over 270 million individuals worldwide. The HCV genome is a single-stranded RNA that functions as both a messenger RNA and replication template, making it an attractive target for the study of RNA interference. Double-stranded short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules designed to target the HCV genome are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNA interference and methods for selecting interfering RNAs. The present invention also relates to modified interfering RNAs. The present invention also relates to methods of reducing the level of a specific mRNA in a cell, methods for reducing the level of a specific protein in a cell, and methods of regulating gene expression. The present invention also relates to methods of screening libraries for an interfering RNA of interest and methods of screening libraries based on a gene function.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay that utilizes molecular beacons as the reporter and nucleic acid ligands as the sensor is described. This assay, called the ligand beacon assay, is for the detection of target molecules in a test mixture. The concept of the ligand beacon assay was tested using several proteins to which high affinity and specific nucleic acid ligands are available. The assay specifically detects the molecular target that binds the nucleic acid ligand with high affinity and specificity. The range of the assay is dictated by the concentration of the nucleic acid ligand/ligand beacon pair used in the assay. Target proteins were detected in buffer as well as in plasma, expanding its applicability to clinical use. This is a simple to use and fast assay format with the potential for automation for high throughput screening applications.

Abstract: A diagnostic biochip comprising a solid support to which one or more specific nucleic acid ligands is attached in a spatially defined manner is provided. Each nucleic acid ligand binds specifically and avidly to a particular target molecule contained within a test mixture, such as a bodily fluid. Also provided are methods for the preparation of nucleic acid ligand biochips. Further, methods for the use of the nucleic acid ligand biochip in diagnosis of a medical condition and quantitative detection of a target molecule are provided.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay that utilizes molecular beacons as the reporter and nucleic acid ligands as the sensor is described. This assay, called the ligand beacon assay, is for the detection of target molecules in a test mixture. The concept of the ligand beacon assay was tested using several proteins to which high affinity and specific nucleic acid ligands are available. The assay specifically detects the molecular target that binds the nucleic acid ligand with high affinity and specificity. The range of the assay is dictated by the concentration of the nucleic acid ligand/ligand beacon pair used in the assay. Target proteins were detected in buffer as well as in plasma, expanding its applicability to clinical use. This is a simple to use and fast assay format with the potential for automation for high throughput screening applications.

Abstract: A Nucleic acid ligand “Biochip” is disclosed, consisting of a solid support to which one or more specific Nucleic acid ligands is attached in a spatially defined manner. Each Nucleic acid ligand binds specifically and avidly to a particular Target molecule contained within a Test mixture, such as a Bodily fluid. The Target molecules include, but are not limited to, proteins (cellular, viral, bacterial, etc.) hormones, sugars, metabolic byproducts, cofactor, and intermediates, drugs, and toxins. Contacting the Test mixture with the Biochip leads to the binding of a Target molecule to its cognate Nucleic acid ligand. Binding of Target to the Nucleic acid ligand results in a detectable change at each specific location on the Biochip. The detectable change can include, but is not limited to, a change in fluorescence, or a change in a physical parameter, such as electrical conductance or refractive index, at each location on the Biochip.

Abstract: A method is described for generating blended nucleic acid ligands containing non-nucleic acid functional units. Specifically, a SELEX identified RNA ligand to the integrin gpIIbIIIa is conjugated to the peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Pro (SEQ ID NO:1). This blended RNA ligand inhibits the biological activity of gpIIbIIIa with high specificity. Also described is a single-stranded DNA ligand to elastase coupled to N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-chloromethyl ketone (SEQ ID NO:2). This elastase blended nucleic acid ligand inhibits the biological activity of elastase.

Abstract: A Nucleic acid ligand “Biochip” is disclosed, consisting of a solid support to which one or more specific Nucleic acid ligands is attached in a spatially defined manner. Each Nucleic acid ligand binds specifically and avidly to a particular Target molecule contained within a Test mixture, such as a Bodily fluid. The Target molecules include, but are not limited to, proteins (cellular, viral, bacterial, etc.) hormones, sugars, metabolic byproducts, cofactor, and intermediates, drugs, and toxins. In principle, the Biochip could be used to test any chemically complex mixture provided that Nucleic acid ligands to components suspected of being present in the mixture are attached to the Biochip. Thus, the Nucleic acid ligand Biochip will have a wider use in environmental testing, etc.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay that utilizes molecular beacons as the reporter and nucleic acid ligands as the sensor is described. This assay, called the ligand beacon assay, is for the detection of target molecules in a test mixture. The concept of the ligand beacon assay was tested using several proteins to which high affinity and specific nucleic acid ligands are available. The assay specifically detects the molecular target that binds the nucleic acid ligand with high affinity and specificity. The range of the assay is dictated by the concentration of the nucleic acid ligand/ligand beacon pair used in the assay. Target proteins were detected in buffer as well as in plasma, expanding its applicability to clinical use. This is a simple to use and fast assay format with the potential for automation for high throughput screening applications.