CPC Class C12Q

K-Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancer. Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for modulating K-Ras and treating cancer.

A method of preparing a crystalline zwitterionic zinc(II)-carboxylate compound includes the steps of preparing a mixture of zinc(II) ions and a first pyridyl ligand having three carboxylic acid moieties; subjecting the mixture to conditions under which a precipitate is formed; separating the precipitate; adding a solvent and optionally a second pyridyl ligand to the separated precipitate; subjecting the obtained mixture to conditions under which crystals of the zwitterionic zinc(II)-carboxylate compound are formed; and separating the crystals of the zwitterionic zinc(II)-carboxylate compound. Preferably but not exclusively, the crystalline zwitterionic zinc(II)-carboxylate compound essentially consists of at least one 1D coordination polymer. The compounds are suitable for providing a sensing platform for detecting the presence or amount of target nucleic acid, particularly HIV-1 ds-DNA, with specificity, and, thus, a method of detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample and a kit including the compounds and an oligonucleotide probe are also provided.

This invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of human p21 using RNA interference. The RNA interference molecules can be used in methods for preventing or treating diseases such as malignant tumor. Provided are a range of siRNA structures, having one or more nucleotides being modified or chemically-modified. Advantageous structures include siRNAs with 2′-deoxy nucleotides located in the seed region, as well as other nucleotide modifications.

Compositions, methods, and systems are provided for nucleotide analogs comprising protein shields for improving enzyme photostability in single molecule real time sequencing. Nucleotide analogs of the invention have a protein shield between the dye moieties and nucleotide moieties of the analog. The nucleotide analogs have two avidin proteins connected by a central dye component, and each avidin protein is further connected to a nucleotide component. The protein can prevent the direct interaction of the dye moiety with the enzyme carrying out nucleotide synthesis preventing photodamage to the enzyme. The nucleotide analogs of the invention can have multiple dyes and multiple nucleotide moieties.