Oligonucleotide compositions with enhanced efficiency

Abstract

The oligonucleotide compositions of the present invention make use of combinations of oligonucleotides. In one aspect, the invention features an oligonucleotide composition including at least 2 different oligonucleotides targeted to a target gene. This invention also provides methods of inhibiting protein synthesis in a cell and methods of identifying oligonucleotide compositions that inhibit synthesis of a protein in a cell.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . An oligonucleotide composition comprising at least three different double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides targeted to at least three different nucleotide sequences within a target gene. 
     
     
         31 . A method of inhibiting protein synthesis in a cell comprising contacting the cell with at least three different double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides targeted to at least three different nucleotide sequences within a target gene. 
     
     
         32 . A method of identifying function of a gene encoding a protein comprising: contacting the cell with at least three different double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides targeted to at least three different nucleotide sequences within a target gene and assaying for a change in a detectable phenotype in the cell resulting from the inhibition of protein expression, to thereby determine the function of a gene. 
     
     
         33 . A method of making an oligonucleotide composition comprising: combining at least three different double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides targeted to at least three different nucleotide sequences within a target gene wherein, the individual oligonucleotides are not separately tested for their ability to inhibit protein synthesis prior to their incorporation into the composition.