Patent ID: 7070962

Claim:
In a method for forming multiple copies of a target sequence of a target polynucleotide, said method comprising the steps of combining a sample with reagents for forming said multiple copies, subjecting said sample to polynucleotide amplification conditions sufficient to form the multiple copies if the target sequence is present in said sample, said reagent comprising an oligonucleotide primer and polymerase; and forming an extension product of the oligonucleotide primer at least along said target sequence, said extension product being a complement of said target sequence, the improvement which comprises forming said extension product in the presence of a control polynucleotide to which said oligonucleotide primer hybridizes except for a 3′-mismatch on said oligonucleotide primer, under polynucleotide amplification conditions wherein the extension of said oligonucleotide primer along said control polynucleotide is controlled by the 3′-mismatch relative to the extension of said oligonucleotide primer along said target sequence.