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.

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.

Provided herein are polypeptides that self-assemble into nanoparticles upon binding to nucleic acids. The nanoparticles find use, for example in the delivery of the nucleic acids into cells.

Ordered (e.g., self-assembled) structures, arranged from peptide nucleic acids and/or analogs thereof, are disclosed. The peptide nucleic acids forming the ordered structures comprise from 1 to 10 PNA backbone units, at least one comprising a guanine nucleobase or an analog thereof. Processes of generating the ordered structures, uses thereof and articles-of manufacturing, devices and systems containing same are also disclosed.

Described herein are novel divalent nucleobases that each bind two nucleic acid strands, matched or mismatched when incorporated into a nucleic acid or nucleic acid analog backbone (a genetic recognition reagent, or genetic recognition reagent). In one embodiment, the genetic recognition reagent is a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) or gamma PNA (γPNA) oligomer. Uses of the divalent nucleobases and monomers and genetic recognition reagents containing the divalent nucleobases also are provided.

This invention is related to novel PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the detection of one or more species of Candida yeast. Non-limiting examples of probing nucleobase sequences that can be used for the probes of this invention can be selected from the group consisting of: AGA-GAG-CAG-CAT-GCA (Seq. Id. No. 1), AGA-GAG-CAA-CAT-GCA (Seq. Id. No. 2), ACA-GCA-GAA-GCC-GTG (Seq. Id. No. 3), CAT-AAA-TGG-CTA-CCA-GA (Seq. Id. No. 4), CAT-AAA-TGG-CTA-CCC-AG (Seq. Id. No. 5), ACT-TGG-AGT-CGA-TAG (Seq. Id. No. 6), CCA-AGG-CTT-ATA-CTC-GC (Seq. Id. No. 7), CCC-CTG-AAT-CGG-GAT (Seq. Id. No. 8), GAC-GCC-AAA-GAC-GCC (Seq. Id. No. 9), ATC-GTC-AGA-GGC-TAT-AA (Seq. Id. No. 10), TAG-CCA-GAA-GAA-AGG (Seq. Id. No. 11), CAT-AAA-TGG-CTA-GCC-AG (Seq. Id. No. 12), CTC-CGA-TGT-GAC-TGC-G (Seq. Id. No. 13), TCC-CAG-ACT-GCT-CGG (Seq. Id. No. 14), TCC-AAG-AGG-TCG-AGA (Seq. Id. No. 15), GCC-AAG-CCA-CAA-GGA (Seq. Id. No. 16), GCC-GCC-AAG-CCA-CA (Seq. Id. No. 17), GGA-CTT-GGG-GTT-AG (Seq. Id. No. 18), CCG-GGT-GCA-TTC-CA (Seq. Id. No. 19), ATG-TAG-AAC-GGA-ACT-A (Seq. Id. No. 20), GAT-TCT-CGG-CCC-CAT-G (Seq. Id. No. 21), CTG-GTT-CGC-CAA-AAA-G (Seq. Id. No. 22) and AGT-ACG-CAT-CAG-AAA (Seq. Id. No. 23).

The present disclosure provides a synthetic nanoparticle comprising a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomer conjugated to a lipid, wherein the PNA oligomer noncovalently complexes with an immunomodulatory compound, thereby forming a nanoparticle. The nanoparticles are useful to elicit immune responses and can be used to treat a broad range of cancers and infectious diseases.

The present invention provides the peptide nucleic acid derivative which targets 5′ splice site of the human ACC2 pre-mRNA “exon 12”. The peptide nucleic acid derivatives in the present invention strongly induce splice variants of the human ACC2 mRNA in cell and are very useful to treat conditions or disorders of skin aging associated with the human ACC2 protein.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, improved PNA agents, compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating diseases such as cancers by using such agents and/or compositions. Methods for reducing expression of a gene in a cell are also provided.

Described herein are recognition modules that bind specifically to a template nucleic acid and which ligate together in a reducing environment to produce a gamma peptide nucleic acid (γPNA) oligomer. Also provided are methods of synthesizing a γPNA oligomer on a template using the recognition modules.