The present invention is concerned with a method for generating, in a non
specific manner, multiple copies of RNA from a pool mRNA's. Such a method
is of particular importance in techniques for screening the differences in
expression in given cell types or in cells under specific conditions. The
present invention provides a non-selective poly A mRNA labeling and
amplification method, i.e. a method not encompassing cDNA synthesis. The
present invention is directed to a method for amplifying RNA by creating,
in a non specific manner, multiple RNA copies starting from nucleic acid
containing starting material comprising a pool of mRNA's each mRNA
comprising a poly-A tail, wherein the material is contacted simultaneously
with an oligonucleotide comprising an oligo-dT sequence, and oligo-dT
sequence is blocked at the 3' end, the sequence of a promoter recognized
by an RNA polymerase and a transcription initiation region which is
located between the oligo-dT sequence and the sequence of the promoter,
and further with an enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity, an
enzyme having RNase H activity and an enzyme having RNA polymerase
activity and the necessary nucleotides and the resulting reaction mixture
is maintained under the appropriate conditions for a sufficient amount of
time for the enzymatic processes to take place.