DUPLEX-FORMING, POLYNUCLEOTIDE CONJUGATES

摘要

The invention provides ligand-binding duplexed structures having significantly enhanced stability under physiological conditions. The structures are provided in the form of polynucleotide conjugates capable of adopting a duplexed structure, in which annealable polynucleotide strands are coupled covalently at one or both ends through a chemical linker which establishes a stabilizing bridge between strands. Various applications for the stabilized duplexed structures are described, including therapeutic applications for example in the treatment of AIDS.