Abstract: Methods are described for analyzing at least one polymorphic site in a biological sample containing at least one single-stranded template, including the steps of: combining the biological sample with a primer specific for each polymorphic site in each template and a primer extension preparation, to form an assay mixture; wherein the preparation includes: chain terminating nucleotides forming a first nucleotide class, chain elongating nucleotides forming a second nucleotide class such that the second nucleotide class does not include a nitrogenous base present in the first nucleotide class, and a template-dependent nucleic acid polymerase; incubating the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficient to extend each primer by addition of at least one nucleotide; and determining the size of each extended primer. Kits suitable for practising the invention are also provided.

Abstract: In a method for determining the existence of a mutation in a nucleic acid fragment from an electrical signal generated by a DNA sequencer made up of sequence information produced by fluorescent fragment products of different lengths of said nucleic acid fragment, followed by a run-off peak produced by fluorescent full length fragment products of said nucleic acid fragment, any difference between said run-off peak and a reference run-off peak generated by unmutated full length fragment products of said nucleic acid fragment, is determined, a difference indicating the existence of a deletion or insertion mutation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assessing cardiovascular status in an individual, which comprise determining the sequence at one or more polymorphic positions within the human genes encoding angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), and/or type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1). The invention also provides isolated nucleic acids encoding ACE, AGT, and AT1 polymorphisms, nucleic acid probes that hybridize to polymorphic positions, kits for the prediction of cardiovascular status, and nucleic acid and peptide targets for use in identifying candidate cardiovascular drugs.