Locked nucleic acid articles from across Nature Portfolio

The potential of harnessing tRNAs to treat genetic diseases has recently gained significant attention. Here, Coller and Ignatova provide an overview of the history and potential applications of tRNA-based therapies, summarize advances in tRNA cargo design and delivery strategies, and assess the challenges encountered in establishing tRNAs as effective and safe therapeutics.

Oligonucleotides targeting mRNA are promising therapeutic agents but suffer from poor bioavailability. Here, the authors develop reduced-charge oligonucleotides with artificial LNA-amide linkages with improved cell uptake and minimal structural deviation to the DNA:RNA duplex.