Abstract: Methods useful for improving results obtained with enzyme-based polynucleotide amplification reactions. More particularly, the invented methods are useful for: (1) promoting amplification of template-specific products such that the amount of amplicon produced reflects the pre-amplification amount of analyte, even in reactions primed with low levels of analyte polynucleotide; (2) facilitating biological specimen processing such that the amount of amplicon produced in subsequent amplification reactions will be substantially independent of the efficiency of analyte polynucleotide isolation from the specimen; and (3) controlling the amount of analyte amplicon produced in the amplification reaction.

Abstract: The present invention features kits for making available a desired nucleic acid contained in a biological sample. The kits contain an acid for acidifying the biological sample to a pH at which endogenous nucleases capable of degrading desired nucleic acids are inactive and an acid protease able to digest cellular materials in the biological sample to release nucleic acid and to inactivate endogenous nucleases which may be present.

Abstract: A method for capturing a target polynucleotide in a sample onto a solid support with an attached immobilized probe by using a capture probe and two different hybridization conditions that control the order of hybridization, where the first hybridization condition allows hybridization of the capture probe to the target polynucleotide, and the second hybridization condition allows hybridization of the capture probe to the immobilized probe. The method further includes amplifying the captured target polynucleotide by hybridizing at least one primer oligonucleotide to the target polynucleotide and using nucleic acid amplification that initiates from the primer oligonucleotide.

Abstract: A method for capturing a target polynucleotide in a sample onto a solid support with an attached immobilized probe by using a capture probe and two different hybridization conditions that control the order of hybridization, where the first hybridization condition allows hybridization of the capture probe to the target polynucleotide, and the second hybridization condition allows hybridization of the capture probe to the immobilized probe. The method further includes amplifying the captured target polynucleotide by hybridizing at least one primer oligonucleotide to the target polynucleotide and using nucleic acid amplification that initiates from the primer oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Methods useful for improving results obtained with enzyme-based polynucleotide amplification reactions. More particularly, the invented methods are useful for: (1) promoting amplification of template-specific products such that the amount of amplicon produced reflects the pre-amplification amount of analyte, even in reactions primed with low levels of analyte polynucleptide; (2) facilitating biological specimen processing such that the amount of amplicon produced in subsequent amplification reactions will be substantially independent of the efficiency of analyte polynucleotide isolation from the specimen; and (3) controlling the amount of analyte amplicon produced in the amplification reaction.

Abstract: Methods useful for improving results obtained with enzyme-based polynucleotide amplification reactions. More particularly, the invented methods are useful for: (1) promoting amplification of template-specific products such that the amount of amplicon produced reflects the pre-amplification amount of analyte, even in reactions primed with low levels of analyte polynucleotide; (2) facilitating biological specimen processing such that the amount of amplicon produced in subsequent amplification reactions will be substantially independent of the efficiency of analyte polynucleotide isolation from the specimen; and (3) controlling the amount of analyte amplicon produced in the amplification reaction.

Abstract: Method for making available a desired nucleic acid contained in a biological sample, comprising the steps of acidifying said biological sample to a pH at which endogenous nucleases capable of degrading the desired nucleic acid(s) are inactive, contacting said biological sample with an exogenous acid protease active at said pH, incubating said sample until endogenous nuclease activities are reduced to insignificant levels, and raising the pH of the biological sample to a pH sufficient to render the exogenous protease less active.