Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting a DNA binding enzyme from reacting with non-target DNA at a temperature below the reaction temperature. The inhibitor is a synthetic nucleic acid which is single stranded but may fold to form at least one double stranded region designed to melt at a temperature which is lower than the reaction temperature, and at least one single stranded region where the single stranded region at the 5? end contains at least one unnatural and/or modified nucleotide and optionally a sequence at the 3? end contains one or more derivative nucleotide or linkages.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting a polymerase from replicating non target DNA at a temperature below the amplification reaction temperature. The inhibitor is a synthetic nucleic acid which is single stranded but folds to form at least one double stranded region designed to melt at a temperature which is lower than the amplification reaction temperature, and at least one single stranded region where the single stranded region at the 5? end contains at least one uracil or inosine and optionally a sequence at the 3? end contains one or more derivative nucleotide or linkages.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting a polymerase from replicating non target DNA at a temperature below the amplification reaction temperature. The inhibitor is a synthetic nucleic acid which is single stranded but folds to form at least one double stranded region designed to melt at a temperature which is lower than the amplification reaction temperature, and at least one single stranded region where the single stranded region at the 5? end contains at least one uracil or inosine and optionally a sequence at the 3? end contains one or more derivative nucleotide or linkages.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that relate to a recombinant protein with DNA polymerase activity in which one or more amino acids are mutated compared with the corresponding wild type protein. The recombinant protein is capable of incorporating one or more modified nucleotides into a nucleic acid substrate with a specific activity greater than 200.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that achieve depletion of a nucleotide pool by means of a phosphate-transferring enzyme such as a nucleoside phosphate or a polyphosphate glucokinase. Depletion of a nucleotide pool using a nucleoside kinase may additionally utilize a phosphotransferase in a second phosphate-transferring reaction.