Abstract: A method of specifically amplifying desired regions of nucleic acid from a sample is provided. The method uses a plurality of first and second PCR primers, each having a region of fixed nucleotide sequence identical or complementary to a consensus sequence of interest and a region of randomized nucleotide sequence located 5? to, 3? to, anywhere within, or flanking the region of fixed nucleotide sequence; and then amplifying the nucleic acid present in the sample via PCR using the plurality of first and second PCR primers; whereby a subset of the first primers binds to the consensus sequence of interest wherever it occurs in the sample, and a subset of the second primers binds to the sample at locations removed from the first primers such that DNA regions flanked by the first primer and the second primer are specifically amplified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for sequencing and amplifying nucleic acid templates wherein a degenerate primer with a fixed sequence region and a random sequence region is utilized. By determining the statistical expectancy of the fixed sequence in the nucleic acid template, this determines the average length of a nucleic acid template that can be sequenced. During the annealing of such a primer with the nucleic acid template, the fixed sequence determines where the complete primer binds by binding to its complementary sequence on the nucleic acid template. The random sequence regions of the primers make it possible for the presence of a unique sequence adjacent to the fixed sequence to be present, thus providing a primer with full complementarity with the nucleic acid template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of specifically amplifying desired regions of nucleic acid from a sample containing nucleic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for sequencing and amplifying nucleic acid templates wherein a degenerate primer with a fixed sequence region and a random sequence region is utilized. By determining the statistical expectancy of the fixed sequence in the nucleic acid template, this determines the average length of a nucleic acid template that can be sequenced. During the annealing of such a primer with the nucleic acid template, the fixed sequence determines where the complete primer binds by binding to its complementary sequence on the nucleic acid template. The random sequence regions of the primers make it possible for the presence of a unique sequence adjacent to the fixed sequence to be present, thus providing a primer with full complementarity with the nucleic acid template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for sequencing and amplifying nucleic acid templates wherein a degenerate primer with a fixed sequence region and a random sequence region is utilized. By determining the statistical expectancy of the fixed sequence in the nucleic acid template, this determines the average length of a nucleic acid template that can be sequenced. During the annealing of such a primer with the nucleic acid template, the fixed sequence determines where the complete primer binds by binding to its complementary sequence on the nucleic acid template. The random sequence regions of the primers make it possible for the presence of a unique sequence adjacent to the fixed sequence to be present, thus providing a primer with full complementarity with the nucleic acid template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method wherein an unknown DNA sequence 3′ to a known DNA sequence is amplified specifically in a first round of PCR using a 5′-blocked primer which hybridizes to the known portion of the DNA sequence. The resultant population of complementary strands to the unknown region is melted to yield single-stranded DNA molecules which are complementary to the unknown DNA sequence, but having a known 5′ terminal sequence which is blocked to further reaction. The single-stranded DNA molecules are coupled at their 3′ termini to an arbitrary, 3′-blocked synthetic primer of known sequence to yield single-stranded DNA target molecules having a known sequence at both the 5′ and 3′ termini and an unknown sequence therebetween. Amplification of the DNA target molecules, using primers complementary to the known 5′ and 3′ termini, causes specific amplification of the unknown DNA between the 5′ and 3′ termini of the DNA target molecules.