The disclosure provides compositions and methods for modifying a target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, a composition can include a targetable nuclease, a DNA-binding protein, and a donor template comprising a homology directed repair (HDR) template and one or more DNA-binding protein target sequences. In some embodiments, a composition can include a Cas protein, one or more single guide RNAs (sgRNAs), and an anionic polymer.

One aspect of the present invention relates to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agent capable of inhibiting the expression of a target gene. The sense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least one thermally destabilizing nucleotide, and at least one said thermally destabilizing nucleotide occurring at a site opposite to the seed region (positions 2-8) of the antisense strand; and the antisense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least two modified nucleotides that provide the nucleotide a steric bulk that is less than or equal to the steric bulk of a 2-OMe modification, wherein said modified nucleotides are separated by 11 nucleotides in length. Other aspects of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these dsRNA agents suitable for therapeutic use, and methods of inhibiting the expression of a target gene by administering these dsRNA agents, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions.

One aspect of the present invention relates to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agent capable of inhibiting the expression of a target gene. The sense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least one thermally destabilizing nucleotide, and at least one said thermally destabilizing nucleotide occurring at a site opposite to the seed region (positions 2-8) of the antisense strand; and the antisense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least two modified nucleotides that provide the nucleotide a steric bulk that is less than or equal to the steric bulk of a 2-OMe modification, wherein said modified nucleotides are separated by 11 nucleotides in length. Other aspects of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these dsRNA agents suitable for therapeutic use, and methods of inhibiting the expression of a target gene by administering these dsRNA agents, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions.

The present disclosure relates to aptamers for temperature-dependent reversible inhibition of thermostable polymerase activity in order to improve sensitivity and specificity of various reactions and assays involving hot start polynucleotide synthesis. Methods for use of the aptamers and related compositions and kits are also provided.

Provided is a nucleoside derivative represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001##
or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkoxy group, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R.sup.2 and R.sup.4, which may be the same as or different from each other, each represents a hydrogen atom, a protective group for a hydroxyl group, a phosphate group, a protected phosphate group, or P(O).sub.nR.sup.5R.sup.6 in which n represents 0 or 1, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6, which may be the same as or different from each other, each represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a protected hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a protected mercapto group, an alkoxy group, a cyanoalkoxy group, an amino group, or a substituted amino group, provided that when n is 1, both R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 cannot be the hydrogen atom at the same time; R.sup.3 represents (CH.sub.2).sub.mNHR.sup.7 in which m represents an integer of 1 to 6, R.sup.7 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or a protective group for an amino group; and B represents a purin-9-yl group, a 2-oxo-pyrimidin-1-yl group, a substituted purin-9-yl group, or a substituted 2-oxo-pyrimidin-1-yl group.

The invention relates to an artificial nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one 5 UTR element which is derived from a TOP gene, at least one open reading frame, and preferably at least one histone stem-loop. Optionally the artificial nucleic acid molecule may further comprise, e.g. a poly(A)sequence, a poyladenylation signal, and/or a 3 UTR. The invention further relates to the use of such an artificial nucleic acid molecule in gene therapy and/or genetic vaccination.

Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The antisense compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.

The present disclosure relates to aptamers for temperature-dependent reversible inhibition of thermostable polymerase activity in order to improve sensitivity and specificity of various reactions and assays involving hot start polynucleotide synthesis. Methods for use of the aptamers and related compositions and kits are also provided.

Provided herein are double-stranded nucleic acid inhibitor molecules having a shortened sense strand with a stem loop structure and an antisense strand. Also provided are methods and compositions for reducing target gene expression and methods and compositions for treating a disease of interest.

The invention relates to an artificial nucleic acid molecule comprising at least one 5UTR element which is derived from a TOP gene, at least one open reading frame, and preferably at least one histone stem-loop. Optionally the artificial nucleic acid molecule may further comprise, e.g. a poly(A)sequence, a poyladenylation signal, and/or a 3UTR. The invention further relates to the use of such an artificial nucleic acid molecule in gene therapy and/or genetic vaccination.