Improved method for nucleic acid amplification by NASBA

摘要

The present invention relates to an improved method for the amplification of nucleic acid. The invention is characterized in that ribonucleotides are introduced during amplification that weaken normal basepairing. Preferably the ribonucleotides are inosine-triphosphate nucleotides which partly substitute guanine-triphosphate nucleotides normally present in the amplification reaction mixture. The incorporation of nucleotides, during amplification, that weaken normal base pairing prevents the formation of secondary structures in the amplificate. The efficiency of the amplification is thereby increased. The introduction, during amplification, of nucleotides that weaken normal base pairing also results in an improved sensitivity during detection of the amplified nucleic acid, when the detection method comprises the hybridization of the amplified nucleic acid to a complementary sequence.