The present disclosure is directed to conjugates of a specific binding entity and an oligomer, i.e. [Specific Binding Entity]-[Oligomer].sub.n, wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 12, and where the Oligomer includes, in some embodiments, a PNA sequence having at least one substituent at a gamma carbon position. In some embodiments, the substituent at the gamma carbon position, e.g. an amino acid, a peptide, a miniPEG, or a polymer, includes at least one reporter moiety.

The present disclosure relates to engineered nucleic acids that target CAG repeat sequences or viral polynucleotides. The present disclosure also relates to the uses of the engineered nucleic acids for treating polyglutamine diseases or a viral infection.

The present disclosure relates to compounds useful for the detection or modulation of target nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA. The present disclosure further relates to methods for treatment of trinucleotide repeat disorders, which can include administration of oligonucleotide analogues that can bind pathogenic nucleotide repeats in DNA or RNA.

The invention is directed to one or more antisense polynucleotides and their use in pharmaceutical compositions in a strategy to induce exon skipping in the γ-sarcoglycan gene in patients suffering from Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy-2C (LGMD2C) or in patients at risk of such a disease. The invention also provides methods of preventing or treating muscular dystrophy, e.g., LGMD2C, by exon skipping in the gamma sarcoglycan gene using antisense polynucleotides. Accordingly, in some aspects the invention provides an isolated antisense oligonucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide specifically hybridizes to an exon target region of a γ-sarcoglycan RNA. In another aspect, the the invention provides a method of inducing exon-skipping of a gamma sarcoglycan RNA, comprising delivering an antisense oligonucleotide or a composition to a cell.

Provided are peptide nucleic acid derivatives targeting a 3′ splice site of the human SNAP25 pre-mRNA. The peptide nucleic acid derivatives potently induce at least a splice variant of the human SNAP25 mRNA in cells, and are useful to safely treat dermatological indications or conditions involving the expression of the human SNAP25 protein by topical administration.

The methods and compositions of the disclosure provide for novel therapeutic compounds to treat obesity and aspects related thereto. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to oligonucleotide therapeutic (ONT) agents targeting miR-22 miRNA for the treatment of human obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to modified nucleic acids, including locked nucleic acids, ethylene-bridged nucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides, and or a 5′(E)-vinyl-phosphonate modification.

An isolated oligonucleotide comprising ribonucleotides is disclosed. The oligonucleotide comprises a nucleic acid sequence which encodes at least one copy of a splicing-factor binding site. The oligonucleotide is no more than 150 bases and may be devoid of a sequence that allows hybridization thereof to cellular RNA under physiological conditions. The oligonucleotide inhibits overall cellular splicing activity of a specific splicing factor. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the oligonucleotide and uses thereof are further disclosed.

Compositions and methods for enhancing targeted gene editing and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In the most preferred embodiments, gene editing is carried out utilizing a gene editing composition such as triplex-forming oligonucleotides, CRISPR, zinc finger nucleases, TALENS, or others, in combination with a gene modification potentiating agent such as stem cell factor (SCF), a CHK1 or ATR inhibitor, or a combination thereof. A particular preferred gene editing composition is triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) substituted at the γ position for increased DNA binding affinity. Nanoparticle compositions for intracellular delivery of the gene editing composition are also provided and particular advantageous for use with in vivo applications.

Disclosed are antisense molecules and compositions for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infection. The antisense molecules and compositions comprise nucleic acid molecules, such as RNA, DNA, or nucleic acid molecules with modified backbones, such as PNA. The antisense molecules and compositions inhibit expression of membrane stability proteins in Staphylococcus aureus; are optionally conjugated to cell penetration molecules such as peptides; and are optionally administered in the form of a nanoparticle composition.

The present invention relates to antisense of oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of FGF21.