Abstract: The present invention generally relates to detection of a target nucleic acid in standard PCR, real-time PCR, RT PCR, and real-time RT PCR. One aspect of the invention provides mutant DNA polymerase enzymes that are resistant to PCR inhibitors, such as dye, blood, and soil. Another aspect of the invention provides for methods of real-time PCR assays using mutant DNA polymerase enzymes resistant to PCR inhibitors with samples containing dye, blood, and/or soil. Another aspect of the invention provides for methods of standard PCR assays using mutant DNA polymerase enzymes resistant to PCR inhibitors with samples containing blood and/or soil.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to detection of a target nucleic acid in standard PCR, real-time PCR, RT PCR, and real-time RT PCR. One aspect of the invention provides mutant DNA polymerase enzymes that are resistant to PCR inhibitors, such as dye, blood, and soil. Another aspect of the invention provides for methods of real-time PCR assays using mutant DNA polymerase enzymes resistant to PCR inhibitors with samples containing dye, blood, and/or soil. Another aspect of the invention provides for methods of standard PCR assays using mutant DNA polymerase enzymes resistant to PCR inhibitors with samples containing blood and/or soil.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for improving amplification or detection of a target nucleic acid in a sample containing PCR inhibitors, such as polyphenols. One aspect provides an enhancer composition including casein or polyvinylpyrrolidone, or a modified polymer thereof. Another aspect provides a method of amplifying a target nucleic acid with an enhancer composition including casein or polyvinylpyrrolidone, or a modified polymer thereof. Another aspect provides a method for culturing microorganisms in media containing PVP or casein.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to amplfication reactions. One aspect of the invention provides amplification reaction enhancer compositions comprising trehalose, carnitine, and a non-ionic detergent, such as NP40. These enhancer compositions can improve efficiency, specificity, and sensitivity of amplification reactions in conventional and real-time PCR and RT-PCR. In addition, these compositions permit nucleic acid amplification directly in crude samples containing blood, blood components, or soil extract with little or no nucleic acid extraction prior to amplification. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of enhancing an amplification reaction containing a crude blood sample with heparin. Another improvement derived from the invention is improved detection of difficult, high GC content nucleic acid targets.

Abstract: A method of obtaining DNA amplification of a nucleic acid target from a volume of whole blood comprising performing DNA amplification in a PCR assay mixture with a blood-resistant polymerase.

Abstract: A method of obtaining DNA amplification of a nucleic acid target from a volume of whole blood comprising performing DNA amplification in a PCR assay mixture with a blood-resistant polymerase.