Patent ID: 6841349
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing stutter in the amplification of a microsatellite comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample comprising said microsatellite, said microsatellite having a G+C content of 50% or less; (b) contacting said sample with at least one enzyme having nucleic acid polymerase activity; and (c) incubating said sample with said enzyme, in the presence of at least two primers, for a time and under conditions sufficient to amplify said microsatellite; wherein said incubating step is performed in the presence of an amount of an additive selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, betaine and mixtures thereof, wherein said additive is effective to reduce said stutter relative to the amount of stutter observed in the absence of said additive.