Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a 3'blocked promoter oligonucleotide and optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or eliminating the formation of side products. The method of the present invention minimizes or eliminates the emergence of side products, thus providing a high level of specificity.

Abstract: Novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic are disclosed (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, methods of nucleic acid amplification are disclosed which are robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side-products. In general, the methods use priming oligonucleotides that target only one sense of a target nucleic acid, a promoter oligonucleotide modified to prevent polymerase extension from its 3?-terminus and, optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or substantially eliminating the formation of side-pro ducts. The disclosed methods minimizes or substantially eliminate the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for detecting HIV-1 nucleic acids using nucleic acid amplification. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as hybridization probes and amplification primers for detecting very low levels of HIV-1 nucleic acids by real-time monitoring of amplicon production. The invented assays are characterized by high levels of precision in the quantitation of HIV-1 targets at low copy numbers, and by accurate detection of different HIV-1 subtypes, including M group and O group variants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side-products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a promoter oligonucleotide modified to prevent polymerase extension from its 3?-terminus and, optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or substantially eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or substantially eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity.