Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a genetic polymorphism in an individual. In one form, the method comprises the following steps: (1) obtaining a sample containing a nucleic acid from the individual; (2) amplifying the nucleic acid sample from step (1) by a process involving thermocycling and primers, the amplification occurring in the presence of a thermostable restriction endonuclease which retains activity during thermocycling, the primers being selected such that they introduce into either the nucleic acid amplified from nucleic acid not including the polymorphism or from nucleic acid including the polymorphism, a sequence recognized by the thermostable restriction endonuclease; and (3) analyzing the product of step (2) to determine the presence of the polymorphism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for amplifying a specific target nucleic acid sequence. The method comprises (1) forming a reaction mixture comprising: (i) the target sequence; (ii) primers comprising a first primer at least a portion of which at the 3′ end thereof is substantially complementary to a first segment at a first end of the target sequence, a second primer at least a portion of which at the 5′ end thereof is substantially complementary to a second segment at a second end of the target sequence, the 5′ end of the second primer being adjacent the 3′ end of the first primer, and a third primer, the third primer being substantially complementary to a segment of the second primer at the 3′ end thereof; (iii) at least four different nucleotide bases; (iv) thermostable polymerase and thermostable ligase; and (2) thermocycling the reaction mixture.