Patent ID: 8563275

Claim:
A method for amplifying a target nucleic acid when present in a sample, the method comprising: introducing to sample retaining means a single aqueous sample and a nongaseous fluid that is immiscible with the sample, wherein the sample comprises reagents sufficient to perform a primer-based amplification of a nucleic acid when present in said sample; segregating the sample into a plurality of aliquots, wherein the aliquots have reaction volumes ranging from 1 picoliter to 1 microliter, and wherein the aliquots are segregated and entrapped by the nongaseous fluid in the sample retaining means; and subjecting the plurality of aliquots in the sample retaining means to a primer-based amplification reaction whereby reagent primers anneal to the target nucleic acid to amplify the target nucleic acid when said target nucleic acid is present in said sample.