Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing stutter in the amplification of a microsatellite comprising the steps of providing a sample comprising a microsatellite having a G+C content of 50% or less; contacting the sample with at least one enzyme having nucleic acid polymerase activity; and incubating the sample with the enzyme for a sufficient amount of time and under conditions sufficient to amplify the microsatellite; wherein the incubation is performed in the presence of an amount of betaine, sorbitol or mixtures thereof, effective to reduce stutter relative to the amount of stutter observed in the absence of betaine and/or sorbitol. The invention also provides compositions containing betaine and/or sorbitol, kits for amplifying microsatellites having a G+C content of 50% or less, and methods of using all of the foregoing.

Abstract: The present teachings provide novel methods for amplifying short nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the present teachings provide novel methods for linearly amplifying a collection of micro RNAs by using temperature cycling during a reverse transcription reaction. The cycling can comprise at least 20 cycles of an annealing temperature segment of 10° C.-30° C., and a denaturation temperature segment of 35° C.-60° C. In some embodiments, the temperature cycled reaction can comprise an osmolyte.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods suitable for dissolving nucleic acid analogs with uncharged, neutral backbones at high concentrations at approximately neutral pH. By using the compositions of the invention, which include a polar, aprotic solvent, concentrations of nucleic acid analogs such as PNA can be achieved in the range of approximately 1 &mgr;M to 10 mM.