Compositions and methods of genome engineering in vitro and in vivo are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions are triplex forming molecules that bind or hybridize to a target region sequence in the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Preferably the triplex forming molecules are peptide nucleic acids that include a Hoogsteen binding peptide nucleic acid (PNA) segment and a Watson-Crick binding PNA segment collectively totaling no more than 50 nucleobases in length, wherein the two segments can binid or hybridize to a target region in the CFTR gene having a polypurine sequences and induce strand invasion, displacement, and formation of a triple-stranded molecule among the two PNA segments and the target region's sequence. Methods of using the triplex forming molecules to treat cystic fibrosis are also provided.

A photocaged DNA nano-tweezer and methods of using said photocaged DNA nano-tweezer are described. In particular, provided herein is a DNA nano-tweezer comprising a hairpin with a single-stranded loop that comprises a first arm and a second arm; and a trigger strand complementary to the single-stranded loop and comprising at least one photocaged residue with a protecting group.

An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 59.

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of GDNF.

The invention provides an oligonucleotide comprising an inosine, and/or a nucleotide containing a base able to form a wobble base pair or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein the oligonucleotide, or a functional equivalent thereof, comprises a sequence which is complementary to at least part of a dystrophin pre-m RNA exon or at least part of a non-exon region of a dystrophin pre-m RNA said part being a contiguous stretch comprising at least 8 nucleotides. The invention further provides the use of said oligonucleotide for preventing or treating DMD or BMD.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of loading exosomes with oligonucleotide cargo, by incubating an oligonucleotide comprising one or more hydrophobic modifications with a population of exosomes for a period of time sufficient to allow loading of the exosomes with the oligonucleotide. Exosomes loaded with hydrophobically modified oligonucleotide cargo, and uses thereof, are also provided.

Therapeutic oligonucleotides comprising pharmacokinetic (PK)-modifying anchors are provided. Methods for treating diseases or disorders comprising administering to a subject a therapeutic oligonucleotide comprising one or more PK-modifying anchors are provided.

The present invention regards oligonucleotides for modulating the expression of a gene, in particular for modulating a gene responsible for a pathology of genetic, tumoural or viral origin. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of said oligonucleotides, possibly chemically modified, for the treatment and/or the diagnosis of said diseases.

The present invention relates to oligonucleotide inhibitors of the TSC22D4 activity or expression and their uses for the prevention, treatment, and/or regulation of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes and/or for improving insulin sensitivity in a mammal.

The. invention relates to a method for inducing or promoting skipping of exon 45 of DMD pre-mRNA in a Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patient, preferably in an isolated (muscle) cell, the method comprising providing said cell with an antisense molecule that binds to a continuous stretch of at least 21 nucleotides within said exon. The invention further relates to such antisense molecule used in said method.