Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enriching a target complementary DNA (cDNA), comprising: (a) providing a plurality of cDNAs, each comprising a first universal sequence at an end, and wherein the plurality of cDNAs comprises the target cDNA; (b) amplifying the target cDNA with a universal forward primer complementary to the first universal sequence and a gene specific reverse primer, and wherein a second universal sequence is added to an end of the cDNA opposite the first universal sequence, by a nucleic acid amplification reaction, by ligation, or by a primer extension reaction; and (c) amplifying the amplicons or extension products using the universal forward primer and a universal reverse primer complementary to the second universal sequence. In one embodiment, the universal forward primer, the gene specific reverse primer and the second universal reverse primer are provided in the same reaction mixture such that the amplifying is a single step.