High specificity primers, amplification methods and kits

摘要

For nucleic acid amplification including extension of primers by a DNA polymerase, high specificity primers are provided. The primers include a type of hairpin structure in which a single-stranded loop separates complementary 3' and 5' arms and in which the loop and the 3' arm are complementary to the target nucleic acid. Amplification methods, assays and kits including such primers are included in the invention.