Abstract: A polynucleotide primer comprising at least the final six nucleotides of one of the following primer sequences, or a sequence complementary thereto: SEQ. ID NOS. 1 to 18, 21 to 45 or 74 to 77.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a target nucleic acid, which method comprises contacting template nucleic acid from a sample with (i) a signalling system and (ii) a tailed nucleic acid primer having a template binding region and the tail comprising a linker and a target binding region, in the presence of appropriate nucleoside triphosphates and an agent for polymerisation thereof, under conditions such that the template binding region of the primer will hybridise to a complementary sequence in the template nucleic acid and be extended to form a primer extension product, separating any such product from the template whereupon the target binding region in the tail of the primer will hybridise to a sequence in the primer extension product corresponding to the target nucleic acid, and wherein any such target specific hybridisation causes a detectable change in the signalling system, such that the presence or absence of the target nucleic acid in the sample is detected by reference to the presence or absence of a de