Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Ken Kent

Kuei-Ying Lin

Norbert W Bischofberger

Chris A Buhr

Rick Wagner

Oligonucleotides that are capable of passive diffusion across cell membranes are disclosed. These oligonucleotides contain at least two nucleotide residues and show a log distribution coefficient in octanol:water of about 0.0-2.5 and a solubility in water of at least 0.001 .mu.g/mL. In preferred embodiments, either at least 80% of the internucleotide linkages are non-ionic, or at least 80% of the bases contain lipophilic hydrocarbyl substitutions, or a combination of these sums to 80%. These oligonucleotides may be conjugated to label and used to visualize cells.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Ken Kent