Abstract: The present invention embraces a method for high-throughput gene profiling with high specificity and sensitivity. With this system, >1000 mRNA species can be co-amplified using gene-specific primers from a single cell. The primers are designed to amplify sequences of desirable length, which are in different exons. The exons can be either adjacent and separated by a large intron or include more than two exons. The amplified sequences are then analyzed by microarray with probes hybridizing to neighboring exons.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of designing PCR primers that allow the efficient and simultaneous amplification of a large number of different desired DNA fragments in a single multiplex PCR and minimize the formation of nonspecific extensions of undesired DNA fragments. The present invention allows a multiplex PCR to use at least 50 pairs of primers and produce at least 50 DNA fragments of interest. The present invention significantly broadens the application of multiplex PCR in the identification of multiple genes related to multifactorial diseases, the genome-scale detection of genetic alterations, the studies in large-scale pharmacogenetic reactions, the genotyping genetic polymorphism in a large population, the gene expression profiling in various samples, and high throughput genotyping technologies.

Abstract: A composition is provided, which comprises a purified cytoplasmic extract from eggs of Xenopus laevis which is capable of supporting activation of human sperm and complete replication of a human sperm genome. Methods of using the extract to achieve complete replication of the sperm genome are disclosed. A flow cytometric method for quantitatively monitoring replication of human sperm genomes is also disclosed. This method can be used for clinical assessment of sperm quality in a test sample of human sperm from an infertile male donor.