Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel materials and methods for suppressing amplification of particular DNA fragments during polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR suppression method uses novel adapters that are ligated to the end of a DNA fragment prior to PCR amplification. Upon melting and annealing, single-stranded DNA fragments having self-complementary adapters at the 5'- and 3'-ends of the strand can form suppressive "pan-like" double-stranded structures that suppress amplification of the fragments during PCR. The subject method offers improved specificity and sensitivity of PCR amplification of a target DNA and does not require target DNA sequence information. The subject invention can be adapted to a variety of highly useful PCR techniques and applications.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel materials and methods for suppressing amplification of particular DNA fragments during polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR suppression method uses novel adapters that are ligated to the end of a DNA fragment prior to PCR amplification. Upon melting and annealing, single-stranded DNA fragments having self-complementary adapters at the 5'- and 3'-ends of the strand can form suppressive "pan-like" double-stranded structures that suppress amplification of the fragments during PCR. The subject method offers improved specificity and sensitivity of PCR amplification of a target DNA and does not require target DNA sequence information. The subject invention can be adapted to a variety of highly useful PCR techniques and applications.