| abstract |
An isolated double-stranded RNA molecule is described wherein each RNA strand has a length from about 19-25 nucleotides wherein at least one strand has a 3Æ- overhang from 1 to 5 nucleotides and the RNA molecule has sufficient identity to a nucleic acid target molecule and is capable of target-specific nucleic acid modification. The molecule can be used for mediating target-specific nucleic acid modification in a cell, for determining the function of genes and in pharmaceutical compositions. |