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Abstract

The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid covalently linked to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method of selectively expressing a nucleic acid in a cell, comprising: a) covalently linking the nucleic acid to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid; b) introducing the nucleic acid of step (a) into the cell; and c) exposing the cell of step (b) to light, whereby exposure to the light unlinks the nucleic acid and the caging group and the nucleic acid is selectively expressed in the cell. Additionally provided is a method of selectively regulating the expression of an endogenous nucleic acid comprising: a) covalently linking a nucleic acid encoding an antisense nucleic acid to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid; b) introducing the nucleic acid of step (a) into the cell; and c) exposing the cell of step (b) to light, whereby exposure to the light unlinks the nucleic acid and the caging group and the nucleic acid is selectively expressed in the cell as an antisense nucleic acid which can bind to and inactivate a complementary nucleic acid within the cell.

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First Claim