| abstract |
The present invention provides improved methods for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. More specifically, the invention involves replacing at least one nucleotide of an oligonucleotide with a nucleotide having altered base pairing characteristics, so as to more equalize the efficiency with which that oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide hybridize to a target molecule and then amplifying the target molecule using, for example, the polymerase chain reaction. Improved amplification results from the improvement in relative hybridization efficiencies. |