The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (BHQs), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I), including stereoisomers, salts and tautomers thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5, M, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to novel cycloalkyl-hydroxyl compounds, compositions comprising hydroxyl compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing a variety of diseases and conditions such as, but not limited to aging, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertension, impotence, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid elimination in bile, obesity, oxysterol elimination in bile, pancreatitis, Parkinson's disease, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, phospholipid elimination in bile, renal disease, septicemia, Syndrome X, thrombotic disorder. Compounds and methods of the invention can also be used to modulate C reactive protein or enhance bile production in a patient. In certain embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are useful in combination therapy with other therapeutics, such as hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic agents.

Disclosed are polynucleotide constructs having a strand linked to a moiety carrying one or more auxiliary moieties. Also disclosed are polynucleotide constructs interrupted with a sugar analogue, and polynucleotide constructs with stereochemically enriched phosphorothioates. The polynucleotide constructs may be provided as hybridized polynucleotide constructs. Also featured are methods of delivery a polynucleotide construct to a cell and methods of reducing the expression of a protein in a cell by contacting the cell with the disclosed polynucleotide construct or hybridized polynucleotide construct.

Described herein are chemical phosphorylating reagents, their synthesis, and uses thereof.

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I):

##STR00001##

or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, M, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided.

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (II):

##STR00001##

or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, M, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided.

Described are improved linking agents that are useful for facilitating the attachment of targeting groups, pharmacokinetic (PK) enhancers or modifiers, or other delivery agents to oligonucleotides. The described linking agents may exhibit improved reaction yields, stability, and biological activity, particularly when used in connection with oligonucleotide-based compounds, such as RNA interference (RNAi) agents.

Provided herein are cyclopropene phosphoramidites, which can be coupled to oligonucleotides to form cyclopropene-functionalized oligonucleotides. Also provided herein are methods of preparing cyclopropene phosphoramidites. Further provided herein are methods of functionalizing oligonucleotides by reaction with tetrazines, providing oligonucleotide cycloadduct products.

This document relates to functionalized (e.g., mono- or bi-functional) polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol and related polymers) as well as methods and materials for making and using such functionalized polymers.