Selective amplification of desired nucleic acid regions in a target sequence

1. A method for selective amplification of desired amplicons in a two-stage polymerase chain reaction, comprising the steps of:

providing a target genetic material;

denaturing the target genetic material;

adding a set of target primers under conditions allowing annealing of primers to the target genetic material;

each primer in said set of target primers comprising

a target specific sequence,

a mismatch control sequence, and

a generic hybridization sequence;

said generic hybridization sequence being identical in each target primer;

said mismatch control sequence and generic hybridization sequence being in close proximity to each other; and

said set of target primers comprising at least two primer pairs adapted for amplification of at least two overlapping desired amplicons in the target genetic material, such that there is a possibility of obtaining at least one undesired amplicon in the region of overlap;

said set of target primers being further characterized in that any pair of primers that flank a desired amplicon sequence have non-matching mismatch control sequences, while any pair of primers that flank an undesired amplicon sequence have matching mismatch control sequences;

carrying out a first multiplex polymerase chain reaction resulting in overlapping amplicons corresponding to different possible pair-wise combinations of primers in the first set of primers, said overlapping amplicons being maintained under conditions such that they self-hybridize through base-pair coupling between the complementary sequences resulting from the generic hybridization sequence in each primer;

treating said overlapping amplicons under selection conditions that are such that desired amplicons denature because of non-complementary sequences resulting from the non-matching mismatch control sequences, while undesired amplicons stay self-hybridized because of additional complementary sequences resulting from the matching mismatch control sequences;

adding generic primers, each comprising a sequence which is complementary to the generic hybridization sequence;

carrying out a second polymerase chain reaction, resulting in the selective amplification of desired amplicons.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second polymerase chain reactions are carried out in different reaction vessels.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said target primers are added before said first multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and said generic primers are added after said first multiplex polymerase chain reaction and before said second polymerase chain reaction.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second polymerase chain reactions are carried out in the same reaction vessel.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said target primers and generic primers are added before said first multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the total length of a target primer in said set of target primers is in the range from about 7 to about 200 nucleotides.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the length of said mismatch control sequence is in the range from 1 to 7 nucleotides.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the length of said generic hybridization sequence is in the range from 1 to 75 nucleotides.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the length of said target specific sequence is in the range from 5 to 100 nucleotides.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one primer in at least one pair is detectably labeled.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said generic primers further comprise adapter sequences for sequencing said desired amplicons.

12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step of sequencing said desired amplicons.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein said sequencing is carried out using massively parallel sequencing.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said generic primers further comprise index sequences.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one target primer is complementary to a diagnostic sequence in the target genetic material.

16. A kit for selective amplification of desired amplicons in a two-stage polymerase chain reaction, comprising:

a set of target primers;

each primer in said set of target primers comprising

a target specific sequence,

a mismatch control sequence, and

a generic hybridization sequence;

said generic hybridization sequence being identical in each target primer;

said mismatch control sequence and generic hybridization sequence being in close proximity to each other; and

said set of target primers comprising at least two primer pairs adapted for amplification of at least two overlapping desired amplicons in a target genetic material, such that there is a possibility of obtaining at least one undesired amplicon in the region of overlap;

said set of target primers being further characterized in that any pair of primers that flank a desired amplicon sequence have non-matching mismatch control sequences, while any pair of primers that flank an undesired amplicon sequence have matching mismatch control sequences;

generic primers, each comprising a sequence which is complementary to the generic hybridization sequence; and

instructions for carrying out the method according to claim 1 using said primers.

17. The kit according to claim 16 , wherein the total length of a target primer in said set of target primers is in the range from about 7 to about 200 nucleotides.