Gilead other research news

GILD published its use of antisense molecules as small as seven bases long that bind highly accessible regions of RNA. As reported in Nature Biotechnology, the oligomers are altered by a propyne chemical group added to the bases, giving high affinity and the ability to activate Rnase H, an enzyme which destroys the RNA targeted by the antisense molecule.

The potency and specificity of the molecules raise hopes for cheaper maunfacturing of antisense drugs that can enter cells, with less toxicity, an accompanying commentary pointed out. First-generation antisense compounds range in length from 25 to 18 base units. ...