Chemical Modifications in Nucleic Acids for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications

The last decade has witnessed the blooming of nucleic acids for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In the present article, we describe the most important results from our group in this area covering the international context that surrounded this research. These include the study of modifications at the terminal and internal positions of siRNA duplexes to enhance nuclease resistance, increase loading of the antisense strand to RISC and avoid side effects such as activation of immune response and sense strand misloading. Then, we describe the design of novel lipid, carbohydrate and peptide conjugates to enhance cellular uptake. Finally, we describe the use of nanostructures for drug delivery and for the controlled deposition of matter on surfaces. We invite the readers to submerge into a highly interdisciplinary discipline that combines organic chemistry, biochemical assays, pharmacology issues as well as materials chemistry and structural studies in order to increase the applications of nucleic acids.