CLOSED-SYSTEM MULTI-STAGE NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION REACTIONS

摘要

The invention is directed to systems, methods and apparatus for carrying out multi-stage amplification reactions, especially under fluidly closed conditions. In one aspect, methods of the invention are carried out in a fluidly closed reaction system that permits the isolation of a portion of a first (or prior) reaction mixture and its use a s a sample or specimen in a second (or subsequent) reaction mixture, thereby substantially avoiding interfering effects that first reaction components may have in the second reaction if both reaction mixture were simply combined together. In the aspect, systems, methods, and apparatus of the invention may be used with any amplification reaction that permits multiple stages of amplification based on the use of nested primers.