| abstract |
A method is provided for adding a terminal sequence tag to nucleic acid molecules for use in RNA or DNA amplification. The method involves contacting with a mixture of oligonucleotides, each having a sequence tag template, a random sequence and a blocked 3′ terminus, under conditions such that, the random sequence anneals with the nucleic acid molecules and the nucleic acid molecules are extended using the sequence tag template as template. For synthesis of RNA from DNA molecules having terminal sequence tags, the method includes forming DNA templates having a double stranded promoter sequence and synthesizing RNA from the DNA templates. For amplification of sequences from DNA molecules having terminal sequence tags, the method includes forming DNA templates by extension of one primer having a sequence that is complementary to the terminal sequence tag and another primer having a sequence that is derived form one of the DNA molecules. |