Selective detection of oncogenic HPV

• US 20090191538A1
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enzo Biochem Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Enzo Biochem Incorporated
• Inventors: Donegan, James J., Rabbani, Elazar
• Granted Patent: US 8,124,334 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/5
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/708 for papilloma
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2531/113 PCR
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/131 the label being a member of a cognate binding pair, i.e. extends to antibodies, haptens, avidin

Abstract

Compositions and methods for discriminately detecting the presence of a set of related genes from target organisms while avoiding detection of closely similar genes in non-target organisms. The present invention achieves this objective by a variety of novel nucleic acid constructs and methods. The nucleic acid constructs of the present invention are able to carry out this objective by virtue of the selected sequences of the compositions and by methods of use of such compositions.

Claims

1. A composition of matter that comprises a set of nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1).

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein two or more of any of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth nucleic acid constructs comprise the same sequence.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence of said first nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (n−

1).

4. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence of said second nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (p−

1).

5. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence of said third nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (q−

1).

6. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the highest number of matches of said fourth nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (s−

1).

7. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the highest number of matches of said fifth nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (t−

1).

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

10. The composition of claim 8, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

11. The composition of claim 9 or 10, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

12. The composition of claim 8, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

14. The composition of claim 1, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

15. The composition of claim 14, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

16. The composition of claim 15, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

17. The composition of claim 15, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

18. The composition of claim 16 or 17, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

19. The composition of claim 14, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

20. The composition of claim 14 or 19, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

21. The composition of claim 20, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

22. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the said nucleic acid constructs is bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

23. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

24. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

25. The composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68.

26. The composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) a first suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1);

b) a second suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (h), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to or less than an integer (h−

1);

c) a third suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (j), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to or less than an integer (j−

1);

d) a fourth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (k), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to or less than an integer (k−

1); and

e) a fifth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (m) and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to or less than an integer (m−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of one or more nucleic acid constructs of said first set of nucleic acid constructs.

27. The composition of claim 26, where two or more of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise the same sequence.

28. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein the number of matches of said first suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (g−

1).

29. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein the number of matches of said second suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (h−

1).

30. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein the number of matches of said third suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (J−

1).

31. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein the number of matches of said fourth suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (k−

1).

32. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein the number of matches of said fifth nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (m−

1).

33. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

34. The composition of claim 26 or 27, wherein all or a portion of the said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

35. The composition of claim 34, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

36. The composition of claim 35, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

37. The composition of claim 35, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

38. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

39. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

40. A composition of matter that comprises a set of nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16 or 52 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18 or 45 or is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1); and

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1).

41. The composition of claim 40, wherein two or more of any of said first, second or third nucleic acid constructs comprise the same sequence.

42. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence of said first nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (n−

1).

43. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein the highest number of matches of said sequences of said second nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (q−

1).

44. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein the highest number of matches of said sequences of said third nucleic acid construct with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (t−

1).

45. The composition of claim 40, wherein said nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

46. The composition of claim 45, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

47. The composition of claim 45, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

48. The composition of claim 46 or 47, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

49. The composition of claim 45, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

50. The composition of claim 49, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

51. The composition of claim 40, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

52. The composition of claim 51, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

53. The composition of claim 52, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

54. The composition of claim 52, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

55. The composition of claim 53 or 54, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

56. The composition of claim 51, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

57. The composition of claim 51 or 56, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

58. The composition of claim 57, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

59. The composition of claim 40 or 41 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs is bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

60. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

61. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

62. The composition of claim 40, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 and 56.

63. The composition of claim 40, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) a first suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16 or 52 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1);

b) a second suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (j), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18 or 45 is equal to or less than an integer (j−

1); and

c) a third suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (m) and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to or less than an integer (m−

1);

and wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of one or more nucleic acid constructs of said nucleic acid constructs.

64. The composition of claim 63, where two or more of said first, second or third suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise the same sequence.

65. The composition of claim 63 or 64, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said first suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (g−

1).

66. The composition of claim 63 or 64, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said second suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (j−

1).

67. The composition of claim 63 or 64, wherein the number of matches of said third suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (m−

1).

68. The composition of claim 63 or 64, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

69. The composition of claim 63 or 64, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

70. The composition of claim 69, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

71. The composition of claim 70, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

72. The composition of claim 70, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

73. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

74. The composition of claim 40 or 41, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

497. The process of claim 482, 483 or 48, wherein one or more of said rendering steps comprises thermal denaturation, secondary structure formation, enzyme digestion, strand displacement or any combination thereof.

498. The process of claim 497 wherein said enzyme comprises RnaseH or a restriction enzyme.

75. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1).

76. The composition of claim 75 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (n−

1).

77. The composition of claim 75, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

78. The composition of claim 77, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

79. The composition of claim 77, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

80. The composition of claim 78 or 79, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

81. The composition of claim 77, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

82. The composition of claim 81, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

83. The composition of claim 75, wherein said nucleic acid construct further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

84. The composition of claim 83, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

85. The composition of claim 84, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

86. The composition of claim 84, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

87. The composition of claim 85 or 86, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

88. The composition of claim 83, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

89. The composition of claim 83 or 88, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

90. The composition of claim 89, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

91. The composition of claim 75 or 76 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs is bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

92. The composition of claim 75 or 76, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

93. The composition of claim 75 or 76, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

94. The composition of claim 75, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52 and 58.

95. The composition of claim 75, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52 or 58 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

96. The composition of claim 95, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (g−

1).

97. The composition of claim 94, 95 or 96, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

98. The composition of claim 94, 95 or 96, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

99. The composition of claim 98, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

100. The composition of claim 99, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

101. The composition of claim 99, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

102. The composition of claim 75 or 76, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

103. The composition of claim 75 or 76, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

104. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1).

105. The composition of claim 104 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (n−

1).

106. The composition of claim 104, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

107. The composition of claim 106, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

108. The composition of claim 106, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

109. The composition of claim 107 or 108, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

110. The composition of claim 106, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

111. The composition of claim 110, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

112. The composition of claim 104, wherein said nucleic acid construct further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

113. The composition of claim 112, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

114. The composition of claim 113, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

115. The composition of claim 113, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

116. The composition of claim 114 or 115, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

117. The composition of claim 112, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

118. The composition of claim 112 or 117, which further comprises a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

119. The composition of claim 118, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

120. The composition of claim 104 or 105 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs are bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

121. The composition of claim 104 or 105, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

122. The composition of claim 104 or 105, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

123. The composition of claim 104, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 33, 52 and 58.

124. The composition of claim 104, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

125. The composition of claim 124, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (g−

1).

126. The composition of claim 123, 124 or 125, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

127. The composition of claim 123, 124 or 125, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

128. The composition of claim 127, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

129. The composition of claim 128, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

130. The composition of claim 128, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

131. The composition of claim 104 or 105, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

132. The composition of claim 104 or 105, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

133. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1).

134. The composition of claim 133 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (p−

1).

135. The composition of claim 133, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

136. The composition of claim 135, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

137. The composition of claim 135, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

138. The composition of claim 136 or 137, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

139. The composition of claim 135, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

140. The composition of claim 139, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

141. The composition of claim 133, wherein said nucleic acid construct further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

142. The composition of claim 141, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

143. The composition of claim 142, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

144. The composition of claim 142, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

145. The composition of claim 143 or 144, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

146. The composition of claim 141, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

147. The composition of claim 141 or 146, which further comprises a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

148. The composition of claim 147, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

149. The composition of claim 133 or 134 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs are bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

150. The composition of claim 133 or 134, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

151. The composition of claim 133 or 134, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

152. The composition of claim 133, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs, said suppressor constructs having a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 31 and 35.

153. The composition of claim 133, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (h), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to or less than an integer (h−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

154. The composition of claim 153, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (h−

1).

155. The composition of claim 152, 153 or 154, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

156. The composition of claim 152, 153 or 154, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

157. The composition of claim 156, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise 15 bases in length or more.

161. The composition of claim 133 or 134, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

162. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 39, 45, 59 or 68 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1).

163. The composition of claim 162 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (q−

1).

164. The composition of claim 162, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

165. The composition of claim 164, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

166. The composition of claim 164, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

167. The composition of claim 165 or 166, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

168. The composition of claim 164, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

169. The composition of claim 168, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

170. The composition of claim 162, wherein said nucleic acid construct further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

171. The composition of claim 170, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

172. The composition of claim 171, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

173. The composition of claim 171, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

174. The composition of claim 172 or 173, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

175. The composition of claim 170, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

176. The composition of claim 170 or 175, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

177. The composition of claim 176, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

178. The composition of claim 162 or 163 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs are bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

179. The composition of claim 162 or 163, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

180. The composition of claim 162 or 163, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

181. The composition of claim 162, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs, said suppressor constructs having a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 18, 39, 45, 59 and 68.

182. The composition of claim 162, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer a), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 39, 45, 59 or 68 is equal to or less than an integer 0-1);

and wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

183. The composition of claim 182, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (j−

1).

184. The composition of claim 181, 182 or 183, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

185. The composition of claim 181, 182 or 183, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

186. The composition of claim 185, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

187. The composition of claim 186, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

188. The composition of claim 186, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

189. The composition of claim 162 or 163, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HFV that is 15 bases in length or more.

190. The composition of claim 162 or 163, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

191. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1).

192. The composition of claim 191 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (q−

1).

193. The composition of claim 191, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

194. The composition of claim 193, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

195. The composition of claim 193, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

196. The composition of claim 194 or 195, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

197. The composition of claim 193, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

198. The composition of claim 197, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

199. The composition of claim 191, wherein said nucleic acid construct wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs further comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

200. The composition of claim 199, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

201. The composition of claim 200, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

202. The composition of claim 200, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

203. The composition of claim 201 or 202, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

204. The composition of claim 199, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

205. The composition of claim 199 or 204, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

206. The composition of claim 205, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

207. The composition of claim 191 or 192 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs are bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

208. The composition of claim 191 or 192, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

209. The composition of claim 191 or 192, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

210. The composition of claim 191, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs, said suppressor constructs having a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 18, 45 and 59.

211. The composition of claim 191, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (j), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to or less than an integer (j−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

212. The composition of claim 211, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (j−

1).

213. The composition of claim 210, 211 or 212, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

214. The composition of claim 210, 211 or 212, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

215. The composition of claim 214, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

216. The composition of claim 215, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

217. The composition of claim 215, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

218. The composition of claim 191 or 192, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

219. The composition of claim 191 or 192, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

220. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1).

221. The composition of claim 220 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (s−

1).

222. The composition of claim 220, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

223. The composition of claim 222, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

224. The composition of claim 222, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

225. The composition of claim 223 or 224, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

226. The composition of claim 222, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

227. The composition of claim 226, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

228. The composition of claim 220, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

229. The composition of claim 228, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

230. The composition of claim 229, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

231. The composition of claim 229, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

232. The composition of claim 230 or 231, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

233. The composition of claim 228, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

234. The composition of claim 228 or 233, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

235. The composition of claim 234, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

236. The composition of claim 220 or 221 wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs are bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

237. The composition of claim 220 or 221, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

238. The composition of claim 220 or 221, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

239. The composition of claim 220, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs, said suppressor constructs having a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 39 and HPV 68.

240. The composition of claim 220, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (k), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or HPV 68 is equal to or less than an integer (k−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

241. The composition of claim 240, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (k−

1).

242. The composition of claim 239, 240 or 241, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

243. The composition of claim 239, 240 or 241, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

244. The composition of claim 243, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

245. The composition of claim 244, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

246. The composition of claim 244, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

247. The composition of claim 220 or 221, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

248. The composition of claim 220 or 221, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

249. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or HPV 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1).

250. The composition of claim 249 wherein the highest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is equal to or less than said integer (t−

1).

251. The composition of claim 249, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

252. The composition of claim 251, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

253. The composition of claim 251, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

254. The composition of claim 252 or 253, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

255. The composition of claim 251, wherein said nucleotide analogues are selected from the group comprising universal bases and degenerate bases.

256. The composition of claim 255, wherein said degenerate bases are chosen from the group comprising Inosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

257. The composition of claim 249 or 250, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

258. The composition of claim 257, wherein said second segment comprises modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

259. The composition of claim 258, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

260. The composition of claim 258, wherein said nucleotide analogs are labeled or unlabeled.

261. The composition of claim 259 or 260, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

262. The composition of claim 257, wherein said second segment comprises a homopolymeric sequence.

263. The composition of claim 257 or 262, further comprising a labeled nucleic acid hybridized to said second segment.

264. The composition of claim 263, wherein said labeled nucleic acid comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

265. The composition of claim 249 or 250, wherein at least one of said nucleic acid constructs are bound to a solid matrix either directly or indirectly.

266. The composition of claim 249 or 250, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are primers.

267. The composition of claim 249 or 250, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are probes.

268. The composition of claim 249, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs, said suppressor constructs having a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 51 and HPV 56.

269. The composition of claim 249, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (m), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or HPV 56 is equal to or less than an integer (m−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of said nucleic acid constructs.

270. The composition of claim 269, wherein the number of matches of said sequence of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs with a homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44 is greater than said integer (m−

1).

271. The composition of claim 268, 269 or 270, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have blocked 3′

ends.

272. The composition of claim 268, 269 or 270, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

273. The composition of claim 272, wherein all or a portion of said suppressor nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a template for nucleic acid synthesis by a DNA polymerase or an RNA polymerase.

274. The composition of claim 273, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid construct comprises at least one peptide nucleic acid moiety.

275. The composition of claim 274, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid comprises a 3′

to 3′

linkage between nucleotides, a 5′

to 5′

linkage between nucleotides or both.

276. The composition of claim 249 or 250, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

277. The composition of claim 249 or 250, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

278. A composition of matter that comprises two sets of nucleic acid constructs wherein a first set comprises nucleic acid constructs comprising sequences complementary to one strand of HPV and a second set comprises one or more nucleic acid constructs comprising sequences complementary to the other strand and wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct of the first set comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct of the first set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct of the first set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct of the first set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct of the first set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a first strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1).

279. The composition of claim 278 wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct of the second set comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (a), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (a−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct of the second set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (b), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (b−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct of the second set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (c), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (c−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct of the second set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (d), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (d−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct of the second set comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (e), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in a second strand of HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (e−

1).

280. The composition of claim 278, wherein two or more of any of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth nucleic acid constructs of said first set comprise the same sequence.

281. The composition of claim 279, wherein two or more of any of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth nucleic acid constructs of said second set comprise the same sequence.

282. The composition of claim 278 wherein the nucleic acid constructs of said second are able to use nucleic acids sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68 one or more nucleic acid sequences of HPV 6, 11, 42, 43, and 44 as templates for binding events, extension events, or both under conditions wherein the nucleic acid constructs of said first set are capable of participating in binding events, extension events with the nucleic acid sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 52, 56, 58, 59, or 68 and incapable of participating in binding events, extension events or both with the nucleic acid sequences of HPV 6, 11, 42, 43 and 44.

283. The composition of claim 278, wherein one or more of the nucleic acid constructs of said first set, said second set, or both said first set and said second set comprise one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

284. The composition of claim 283, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

285. The composition of claim 278 or 279, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

286. The composition of claim 278 or 279, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 15 bases in length or more.

287. The composition of claim 278 or 279, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

288. A composition of matter that comprises a set of nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence where out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 and 58 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11;

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence where out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 31 and HPV 35 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11;

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence where out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 and 59 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11;

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence where out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 39 and HPV 68 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11; and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence where out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 51 and HPV 56 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

289. The composition of claim 288, wherein two or more of any of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth nucleic acid constructs comprise the same sequence.

290. The composition of claim 288, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid constructs, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

291. The composition of claim 288 or 289, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

292. The composition of claim 291, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

293. The composition of claim 288 or 289, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

294. The composition of claim 288 or 289, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68.

295. The composition of claim 288 or 289, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

296. The composition of claim 295, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

297. A composition of matter that comprises a set of nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleotide sequence, wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 16 or 52 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11;

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleotide sequence, wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the sequence in HPV 18 or 45 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11; and

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleotide sequence, wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

298. The composition of claim 297, wherein two or more of any of said first, second or third nucleic acid constructs comprise the same sequence.

299. The composition of claim 297 or 298, wherein in said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid constructs, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

300. The composition of claim 297 or 298, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

301. The composition of claim 300, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

302. The composition of claim 297 or 298, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

303. The composition of claim 297 or 298, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 and 56.

304. The composition of claim 297 or 298, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

305. The composition of claim 304, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

306. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52 and 58 and less than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

307. The composition of claim 306, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, less than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

308. The composition of claim 306 or 307, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

309. The composition of claim 308, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

310. The composition of claim 306 or 307, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

311. The composition of claim 306 or 307, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52 or 58.

312. The composition of claim 306 or 307, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

313. The composition of claim 312, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

314. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 and 58 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

315. The composition of claim 314, wherein in said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

316. The composition of claim 314 or 315, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

317. The composition of claim 316, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

318. The composition of claim 314 or 315, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

319. The composition of claim 314 or 315, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58.

320. The composition of claim 314 or 315, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

321. The composition of claim 320, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

322. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 31 and 35 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

323. The composition of claim 322, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, less than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

324. The composition of claim 322 or 323, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

325. The composition of claim 324, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

326. The composition of claim 322 or 323, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

327. The composition of claim 322 or 323, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 31 or 35.

328. The composition of claim 322 or 323, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

329. The composition of claim 328, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

330. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 18, 39, 45, 59 and 68 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

331. The composition of claim 330, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

332. The composition of claim 330 or 331, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

333. The composition of claim 332, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

334. The composition of claim 330 or 331, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

335. The composition of claim 330 or 331, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 18, 39, 45, 59 or 68.

336. The composition of claim 330 or 331, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

337. The composition of claim 336, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

338. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 and 59 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

339. The composition of claim 338, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

340. The composition of claim 338 or 339, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

341. The composition of claim 340, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

342. The composition of claim 338 or 339, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

343. The composition of claim 338 or 339, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 18, 45 or 59.

344. The composition of claim 338 or 339, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

345. The composition of claim 344, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

346. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 39 and 68 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

347. The composition of claim 346, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

348. The composition of claim 346 or 347, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

349. The composition of claim 348, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

350. The composition of claim 346 or 347, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

351. The composition of claim 346 or 347, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 39 or 68.

352. The composition of claim 346 or 347, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

353. The composition of claim 352, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

354. A composition of matter that comprises a nucleic acid construct wherein out of 20 consecutive nucleotides, at least 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 and fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11.

355. The composition of claim 354, wherein said 20 consecutive nucleotides of said nucleic acid construct, fewer than 17 bases match the homologous sequence in HPV 42, 43 or 44.

356. The composition of claim 354 or 355, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

357. The composition of claim 356, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

358. The composition of claim 354 or 355, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a second segment, wherein said second segment comprises sequences lacking homology with HPV.

359. The composition of claim 354 or 355, further comprising one or more suppressor nucleic acid constructs wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs have a higher affinity for HPV 6 or HPV 11 compared to HPV 51 or 56.

360. The composition of claim 354 or 355, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is more than 20 bases in length.

361. The composition of claim 360, wherein at least one nucleic acid construct comprises a segment homologous to HPV that is 25 bases in length or more.

362. A process for detecting the presence of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 in a sample, said process comprising the steps of:

A) providing;

(i) said sample suspected of containing any of said HPV types;

(ii) a set of nucleic acid constructs comprising;

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1);

B) contacting said set of nucleic acid constructs (ii) with said sample (i) under conditions suitable for hybridization of said constructs (ii) to complementary sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 nucleic acids, if present in said sample; and

C) detecting said hybridization.

363. The process of claim 362 wherein said set of constructs (ii) comprise ribonucleotides and wherein said detecting step C) is carried out by detecting the presence of RNA/DNA hybrids.

364. The process of claim 362, wherein said nucleic acid constructs are labeled.

365. The process of claim 362, wherein nucleic acids in said sample (i) have been subjected to a nucleic acid amplification procedure.

366. The process of claim 362, wherein nucleic acids in said sample have not been amplified.

367. The process of claim 362 wherein said contacting step B) is carried out in situ.

368. The process of claim 362, wherein nucleic acids in said sample have been isolated or purified.

369. The process of claim 362, wherein said contacting step B) and said detecting step C) take place during an amplification procedure.

370. The process of claim 364, wherein said label comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component or a chelating component, a radioisotope, a phosphorescent component, an intercalating component, an energy transfer component, or any combination of the above.

371. The process of claim 365 wherein said amplification procedure has been carried out using at least two set of primers wherein at least one primer of a first set binds to one strand of an HPV nucleic acid and at least one primer of a second set binds to the complementary strand of said HPV nucleic acid.

372. The process of claim 369 wherein said amplification procedure is carried out using at least two set of primers wherein at least one primer of a first set of primers binds to one strand of an HPV nucleic acid and at least one primer of a second set of primers binds to the complementary strand of said HPV nucleic acid.

373. The process of claim 371 or 372 wherein said first set of primers comprises one or more consensus primers and said second set of primers comprises one or more consensus primers, wherein said consensus primers are capable of binding to HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68.

374. The process of claim 371 or 372, wherein said first set of primers comprise one or more consensus primers wherein said consensus primers are capable of binding to HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 and wherein said second set of primers comprise:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T−

1).

375. The process of claim 371 or 372, wherein said first set of primers comprise:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N_F−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P_F−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q_F−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S_F−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T_F−

1) and said second set of primers comprise;

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N_R−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P_R−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q_R−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S_R−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T_R−

1).

376. The process of claim 362, wherein a set of suppressor nucleic acid constructs are also provided wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise

a) at least one (1) first suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1);

b) at least one (1) second suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (h), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to or less than an integer (h−

1);

c) at least one (1) third suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer a), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to or less than an integer (j−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (k), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to or less than an integer (k−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (m) and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to or less than an integer (m−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of one or more said primers.

377. The process of claim 365 or 369 wherein said amplification procedure comprises the polymerase chain reaction, the ligase chain reaction, the GAP-LCR method, the 3SR reaction, the NASBA reaction, the Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, the Strand Displacement Amplification reaction, or the isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

376-1. The process of claim 371 or 372, wherein a set of suppressor nucleic acid constructs are also present during said amplification, wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise:

a) at least one (1) first suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1);

b) at least one (1) second suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (h), and the highest number of matches of said

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1);

iii) a second set of nucleic acid constructs comprising;

a) at least one (1) first suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (g), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to or less than an integer (g−

1);

b) at least one (1) second suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (h), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to or less than an integer (h−

1);

c) at least one (1) third suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer a), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to or less than an integer (j−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (k), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to or less than an integer (k−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (m) and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to or less than an integer (m−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of one or more of the sequences of the nucleic acid constructs (ii);

B) contacting said sets of nucleic acid constructs (ii) and (iii) with said sample (i) under conditions suitable for hybridization of said constructs (ii) to complementary sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68, if present in said sample; and

C) detecting said hybridization.

378. A process for detecting the presence of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 in a sample, said process comprising the steps of:

A) providing;

i) said sample suspected of containing any of said HPV types;

ii) a first set of nucleic acid constructs comprising;

sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to or less than an integer (h−

1);

c) at least one (1) third suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (j), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to or less than an integer (j−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (k), and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to or less than an integer (k−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth suppressor nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with the homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to an integer (m) and the highest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to or less than an integer (m−

1); and

wherein said suppressor nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences that are homologous to all or a portion of one or more of the sequences of the nucleic acid constructs (ii).

379. The process of claim 378 wherein said first set of constructs (ii) comprise ribonucleotides and said second set of constructs (iii) lack ribonucleotides and wherein said detecting step C) is carried out by detecting the presence of RNA/DNA hybrids.

380. The process of claim 378, wherein said first set of nucleic acid constructs (ii) are labeled.

381. The process of claim 378, wherein said nucleic acids in said sample (i) have been subjected to a nucleic acid amplification procedure.

382. The process of claim 378, wherein nucleic acids in said sample (i) have not been amplified.

383. The process of claim 378, wherein said contacting step B) is carried out in situ.

384. The process of claim 378, wherein nucleic acids in said sample (i) have been isolated or purified.

385. The process of claim 378, wherein said contacting step B) and said detecting step C) are carried out during an amplification procedure.

386. The process of claim 380, wherein said label is selected from biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

387. The process of claim 381 wherein said amplification procedure has been carried out using at least two set of primers wherein at least one primer of a first set of primers binds to one strand of an HPV nucleic acid and at least one strand of a second set of primers binds to the complementary strand of said HPV nucleic acid.

388. The process of claim 385 wherein said amplification procedure is carried out using at least two set of primers wherein at least one primer of a first set of primers binds to one strand of an HPV nucleic acid and at least one primer of a second set of primers binds to the complementary strand of said HPV nucleic acid.

389. The process of claim 387 or 388 wherein said first set of primers comprises one or more consensus primers and said second set of primers comprises one or more consensus primers, wherein said consensus primers are capable of binding to HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68.

390. The process of claim 387 or 388, wherein said first set of primers comprise one or more consensus primers wherein said consensus primers are capable of binding to HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 and wherein said second set of primers comprise:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N-1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T−

1).

391. The process of claim 387 or 388, wherein said first set of primers comprise:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N_F−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P_F−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q_F−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S_F−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T_F), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T_F−

1) and said second set of primers comprise;

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N_R−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P_R−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q_R−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S_R−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T_R), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T_R−

1).

392. The process of claim 381 or 385 wherein said amplification procedure comprises the polymerase chain reaction, the ligase chain reaction, the GAP-LCR method, the 3SR reaction, the NASBA reaction, the Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, the Strand Displacement Amplification reaction, or the isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

393. A method of detecting the presence of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 in a sample comprising the steps of:

A) providing;

i) a sample;

ii) a first set of nucleic acid constructs comprising sequences complementary to sequences of a strand of HPV nucleic acid wherein said set comprises;

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1);

iii) a second set of nucleic acid constructs comprising sequences substantially identical to sequences of said strand of HPV nucleic acid; and

iv) reagents appropriate for carrying out extension of said nucleic acid constructs;

B) contacting said first set of nucleic acid constructs with said sample under conditions suitable for hybridization of said nucleic acid constructs to complementary sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 if present in the sample;

C) extending one or more of said first set of nucleic acid constructs using the sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 as templates;

D) contacting said second set of nucleic acid constructs with said extended first nucleic acid constructs from step (D);

E) extending one or more of said second set of nucleic acid constructs using the extended nucleic acid construct from step (E) as templates;

F) repeating one or more of the preceding steps; and

G) detecting extension products synthesized by using HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 as templates and thereby determining the presence of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 in the sample.

394. The method of claim 393, wherein said second set comprises a set of nucleic acid constructs wherein:

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T−

1)

395. The method of claim 393 wherein said second set comprises HPV consensus primers.

396. The method of claim 393, 394 or 395 wherein said extension step (C) is carried out by a DNA polymerase.

397. The method of claim 396 wherein said DNA polymerase is selected from one or more of the group comprising Taq DNA polymerase, Klenow Fragment, DNA polymerase I, Bst DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Pfx DNA polymerase, Elongase, Herculase, Taq Plus, Deep-vent Polymerase, Vent DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Thermal Ace™

polymerase, or any mutants or modified versions of the foregoing.

398. The method of claim 396 wherein said DNA polymerase is a Reverse Transcriptase.

399. The method of claim 398 wherein said Reverse Transcriptase comprises HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-2 reverse transcriptase, AMV reverse transcriptase, MMLV reverse transcriptase, RSV reverse transcriptase, ALV reverse transcriptase, MuLV reverse transcriptase, Sensiscript, SuperScript™

, Thermo Script™

or Omniscript.

400. The method of claim 399 wherein said Reverse Transcriptase has been modified such that it is RnaseH⁻

.

401. The method of claim 393 or 394, wherein said extension step (C) is carried out by ligase.

402. The method of claim 401, wherein said ligase comprises T4 DNA ligase, T4 RNA ligase, Pyrococcus furiosus DNA ligase, Escherichia coli DNA ligase, Taq DNA ligase, recombinant Human ligase I, recombinant Human ligase II, recombinant Human ligase III or recombinant Human ligase IV.

403. The method of claim 393, 394 or 395 wherein said second set is used for extension prior to said first set.

404. The method of claim 393, 394 or 395 wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprise sequences for RNA promoters.

405. The method of claim 404 wherein said process comprises a further step of transcription from said RNA promoters.

406. The method of claim 404 wherein said RNA promoters comprise T3, T7 or SP6.

407. The method of claim 393, wherein said reagents (iv) comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

408. The method of claim 407, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

409. The method of claim 407, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

410. The method of claim 408 or 409, wherein said labeled modified nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

411. The method of claim 410, wherein said detections step (G) is carried out by the detection of the presence of extension products labeled by incorporation of said labeled modified nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

412. The method of claim 393 or 394, wherein said detection step (G) is carried out by hybridization with one or more labeled probes.

413. The method of claim 412, wherein said one or more labeled probes comprise labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

414. The method of claim 412, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

415. The method of claim 412, wherein said labeled probe comprises sequences from HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68 or any combination thereof.

416. The method of claim 412, wherein said labeled probe comprises a set of probes wherein:

a) at least one (1) first labeled probe comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (PRn), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRn−

1);

b) at least one (1) second labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (PRp), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRp−

1);

c) at least one (1) third labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (PRq), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRq−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (PRs), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRs−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (PRt), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRt−

1).

417. The method of claim 416 wherein at least one of said first labeled probe, said second labeled probe, said third nucleic acid probe, said fourth labeled probe and said fifth labeled probe comprises the same sequence.

418. The method of claim 393, 394 or 395, wherein said detection step (G) is carried out by the presence of an intercalating agent that indicates the synthesis of extension products.

419. The method of claim 393, 394 or 395, wherein said method comprises the polymerase chain reaction, the ligase chain reaction, the GAP-LCR method, the 3SR reaction, the NASBA reaction, the Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, the Strand Displacement Amplification reaction, or the isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

420. A method of detecting the presence of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 in a sample comprising the steps of:

A) providing;

i) a sample;

ii) a first set of nucleic acid constructs comprising sequences complementary to sequences of a strand of HPV nucleic acid wherein said set comprises;

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (p), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (p−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (s), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (s−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1);

iii) a second set of nucleic acid constructs comprising sequences substantially identical to sequences of said strand of HPV nucleic acid wherein said second set comprises a set of nucleic acid constructs wherein;

a) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (N), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (N−

1);

b) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (P), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (P−

1);

c) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (Q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (Q−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (S), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (S−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth nucleic acid construct comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (T), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (T−

1); and

iv) reagents appropriate for carrying out extension of said nucleic acid constructs;

B) contacting said first set of nucleic acid constructs with said sample under conditions suitable for hybridization of said nucleic acid constructs to complementary sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 if present in the sample;

C) extending one or more of said first set of nucleic acid constructs using the sequences of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 as templates;

D) contacting said second set of nucleic acid constructs with said extended first nucleic acid constructs from step (D);

E) extending one or more of said second set of nucleic acid constructs using the extended nucleic acid construct from step (E) as templates;

F) repeating one or more of the preceding steps; and

G) detecting extension products synthesized by using HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 as templates and thereby determining the presence of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68 in the sample.

421. The method of claim 420, wherein said extension step (C) is carried out by a DNA polymerase.

422. The method of claim 421 wherein said DNA polymerase comprises Taq DNA polymerase, Klenow Fragment, DNA polymerase I, Bst DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Pfx DNA polymerase, Elongase, Herculase, Taq Plus, Deep-vent Polymerase, Vent DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Thermal Ace™

polymerase or any mutants or modified versions of the foregoing.

423. The method of claim 421, wherein said DNA polymerase is a Reverse Transcriptase.

424. The method of claim 423, wherein said Reverse Transcriptase comprises HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-2 reverse transcriptase, AMV reverse transcriptase, MMLV reverse transcriptase, RSV reverse transcriptase, ALV reverse transcriptase, MuLV reverse transcriptase, Sensiscript, SuperScript™

, Thermo Script™

or Omniscript.

425. The method of claim 423, wherein said Reverse Transcriptase has been modified such that it is RnaseH⁻

.

426. The method of claim 420, wherein said extension step (C) is carried out by ligase.

427. The method of claim 426, wherein said ligase comprises T4 DNA ligase, T4 RNA ligase, Pyrococcus furiosus DNA ligase, Escherichia coli DNA ligase, Taq DNA ligase, recombinant Human ligase I, recombinant Human ligase II, recombinant Human ligase III or recombinant Human ligase IV.

428. The method of claim 420, wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises sequences for RNA promoters.

429. The method of claim 428 wherein said method comprises a further step of transcription from said RNA promoters.

430. The method of claim 428 wherein said RNA promoters comprise T3, T7 or SP6.

431. The method of claim 420, wherein said reagents (iv) comprise one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogues.

432. The method of claim 431, wherein said modified nucleotides are labeled or unlabeled.

433. The method of claim 422, wherein said nucleotide analogues are labeled or unlabeled.

434. The method of claim 423 or 424, wherein said labeled modified nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

435. The method of claim 420, wherein said detections step (G) is carried out by the detection of the presence of extension products labeled by incorporation of said labeled modified nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

436. The method of claim 420, wherein said detection step (G) is carried out by hybridization with one or more labeled probes.

437. The method of claim 436, wherein said one or more labeled probes comprise labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

438. The method of claim 437, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination of the foregoing.

439. The method of claim 436, wherein said labeled probe comprises sequences from HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68 or any combination thereof.

440. The method of claim 436, wherein said labeled probe comprises a set of probes wherein:

a) at least one (1) first labeled probe comprises a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16, 33, 52 or 58 is equal to an integer (PRn), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRn−

1);

b) at least one (1) second labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 31 or 35 is equal to an integer (PRp), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRp−

1);

c) at least one (1) third labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18, 45 or 59 is equal to an integer (PRq), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRq−

1);

d) at least one (1) fourth labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 39 or 68 is equal to an integer (PRs), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRs−

1); and

e) at least one (1) fifth labeled probe comprises a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or 56 is equal to an integer (PRt), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (PRt−

1).

441. The method of claim 440 wherein at least one of said first labeled probe, said second labeled probe, said third nucleic acid probe, said fourth labeled probe and said fifth labeled probe comprises the same sequence.

442. The method of claim 420 wherein at least one of said first nucleic acid construct, said second nucleic acid construct, said third nucleic acid probe, said fourth labeled probe and said fifth labeled probe of said first set comprises the same sequence.

443. The method of claim 420 wherein at least one of said first nucleic acid construct, said second nucleic acid construct, said third nucleic acid probe, said fourth labeled probe and said fifth labeled probe of said second set comprises the same sequence.

444. The method of claim 420 wherein one or more of said nucleic acid constructs comprises a label.

445. The method of claim 444 wherein said label comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination of the foregoing.

446. The method of claim 420, wherein said method comprises a nucleic acid amplification process.

447. The method of claim 446, wherein said amplification process comprises the polymerase chain reaction, the ligase chain reaction, the GAP-LCR method, the 3SR reaction, the NASBA reaction, the Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, the Strand Displacement Amplification reaction, or the isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

448. A method of detecting the presence of HPV which comprises:

a) providing;

(i) a sample that may contain nucleic acids from one or more HPV types;

(ii) two sets of primers wherein one or more nucleic acid constructs of a first set of primers are complementary to sequences in one strand of HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 and 56 and wherein one or more nucleic acid constructs of a second set of primers are complementary to the other strand of HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 and 56 and wherein the primers of said first and second sets are complementary to more than one of said HPV types; and

(iii) reagents for carrying out a nucleic acid amplification reaction;

b) carrying out an amplification reaction under conditions where;

A) sequences from HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 or 56 are amplified; and

;

B) if present in said sample, sequences from HPV 6 and HPV 11 are not amplified; and

c) determining the presence of amplified product and thereby the presence of HPV.

449. The method of claim 448, wherein said amplification reaction comprises the polymerase chain reaction, the ligase chain reaction, the GAP-LCR method, the 3SR reaction, the NASBA reaction, the Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, the Strand Displacement Amplification reaction, or the isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

450. The method of claim 448, wherein said primers (i), said reagents (ii) or both said primers (i) and said reagents (ii) comprise a label.

451. The method of claim 450 wherein said label is attached to a nucleotide.

452. The method of claim 450 or 451, wherein said label comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination of the foregoing.

453. The method of claim 450 or 451 wherein said label comprises an intercalating dye.

454. A method of detecting the presence of HPV which comprises:

a) providing;

(i) a sample that may contain nucleic acids from one or more HPV types;

(ii) reagents for carrying out a nucleic acid reaction; and

(iii) two sets of primers wherein a first set of primers is complementary to one strand of an HPV nucleic acid and a second set of primers is complementary to the other strand of said HPV nucleic acid and wherein said first set comprises;

A) at least one (1) first nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 16 or HPV 52 is equal to an integer (n), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (n−

1);

B) at least one (1) second nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 18 or HPV 45 or is equal to an integer (q), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (q−

1); and

C) at least one (1) third nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence, wherein the lowest number of matches of said sequence with a homologous sequence in HPV 51 or HPV 56 is equal to an integer (t), and the highest number of matches with a homologous sequence in HPV 6 or HPV 11 is equal to or less than an integer (t−

1); and

said second set comprises one or more nucleic acid constructs complementary to sequences in HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 or 56;

b) carrying out an amplification reaction under conditions where A) sequences from HPV 16, 18, 45, 51, 52 or 56 are amplified and B) sequences from HPV 6 and HPV 11 are not amplified; and

c) determining the presence of amplified product and thereby the presence of HPV.

455. The method of claim 454, wherein said amplification reaction comprises the polymerase chain reaction, the ligase chain reaction, the GAP-LCR method, the 3SR reaction, the NASBA reaction, the Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, the Strand Displacement Amplification reaction, or the isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

456. The method of claim 454, wherein said primers (i), said reagents (ii) or both said primers (i) and said reagents (ii) comprise a label.

457. The method of claim 456 wherein said label is attached to a nucleotide.

458. The method of claim 456 or 457, wherein said label comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination of the foregoing.

459. The method of claim 456 or 457 wherein said label comprises an intercalating dye.

460. A process for preparing one or more copies of a target nucleic acid after alteration of primer binding sites, comprising the steps of:

(A) providing;

(i) a target nucleic acid to be copied; and

(ii) at least one first forward primer and at least one second forward primer wherein;

(a) said first forward primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases;

(b) said first forward primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a first region of said target nucleic acid;

(c) said second forward primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a nucleic acid formed by using said first forward primer as a template; and

(d) said second forward primer lacks said one or more degenerate bases in said first forward primer;

(iii) one or more reverse primers wherein said reverse primers comprise sequences substantially identical to a second region of said target nucleic acid; and

(iv) means for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis;

(B) contacting said target nucleic acid with said first forward primer;

(C) extending said first forward primer by means of a template-dependent polymerase to form a first copy; and

(D) rendering a reverse primer binding sequence available in said first copy;

(E) contacting said first copy with said reverse primer;

(F) extending said reverse primer using said first copy as a template wherein at least one of the nucleotides incorporated into a site opposite a degenerate base in said first forward primer is different from the nucleotide in the target nucleic acid used as a template in step (B) thereby forming an altered forward primer binding sequence in said second copy;

(G) rendering said altered forward primer binding sequence available in said second copy;

(H) contacting said second copy with said second forward primer;

(I) extending said second forward primer using said second copy as a template, thereby producing a third copy; and

(J) optionally continuing a further series of rendering, contacting and extension steps and thereby providing one or more copies of said target nucleic acid with an altered primer binding site.

461. The process of claim 460, wherein said one or more reverse primers comprises at least one first reverse primer and at least one second reverse primer wherein:

(a) said first reverse primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases;

(b) said first reverse primer comprises sequences substantially identical to sequences of a second region of said nucleic acid;

(c) said second reverse primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a nucleic acid formed by using said first reverse primer as a template; and

(d) said second reverse primer lacks said one or more degenerate bases in said first reverse primer.

462. The process of claim 460 or 461, wherein a further series of rendering, contacting and extending steps are carried to provide additional copies of said target nucleic acids with altered primer binding sequences.

463. The process of claim 462, wherein after a series of rendering, contacting and extending steps, the conditions of contacting and extension are changed such that the target nucleic acid provided in said providing step (i) is less efficiently used as a target for extension events by said first forward primer or said first reverse primer, compared to the use of said extension products by said second forward primer or said second reverse primer.

464. The process of claim 460 wherein said second forward primer comprises one or more additional bases at its 3′

end compared to said first forward primer.

465. The process of claim 461 wherein said second reverse primer comprises one or more additional bases at its 3′

end compared to said first reverse primer.

466. The process of claim 460 or 461 wherein said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer or said first reverse primer comprises Inosine, “

K”

or a combination of the preceding.

467. The process of claim 466 wherein said second forward primer or said second reverse primer comprises a G in the position occupied by Inosine in said first forward primer or said second forward primer.

468. The process of claim 466 wherein said second forward primer or said second reverse primer comprises an A in the position occupied by “

K”

in said first forward primer or said second forward primer.

469. The process of claim 460 or 461, wherein said first forward primer, said second forward primer, said first reverse primer, said second reverse primer or any combination thereof additionally comprise one or more degenerate bases wherein said additional degenerate base lacks a substantial preference for a particular base as a substrate for incorporation when said additional base is used as a template.

470. The process of claim 469 wherein said degenerate base lacking a substantial preference for a particular base as a substrate for incorporation is selected from the group comprising 8-oxo-guanosine and “

P”

.

471. The process of claim 460, 461 or 462, further comprising the step of detecting the presence of said altered priming binding sequence wherein said detection is carried out by measurement of the binding of a labeled probe wherein said labeled probe is complementary to said altered prime binding sequence.

472. The process of claim 471, wherein said labeled probes comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

473. The process of claim 460, 461 or 462, wherein one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues are incorporated.

474. The process of claim 473, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise one or more labels selected from the group consisting of biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

475. The process of claim 460, 461 or 462, wherein one or more of said rendering steps comprises thermal denaturation, secondary structure formation, enzyme digestion, strand displacement or any combination thereof.

476. The process of claim 475 wherein said enzyme comprises RnaseH or a restriction enzyme.

477. The process of claim 462, further comprising the step of detecting the presence of target nucleic acid sequences other than said forward primer binding sequence, said altered forward primer binding sequence, said reverse primer binding sequence and said altered reverse primer binding sequence.

478. The process of claim 460, wherein said means (iv) for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting Taq DNA polymerase, Klenow Fragment, DNA polymerase I, Bst DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Pfx DNA polymerase, Elongase, Herculase, Taq Plus, Deep-vent Polymerase, Vent DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Thermal Ace™

polymerase, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-2 reverse transcriptase, AMV reverse transcriptase, MMLV reverse transcriptase, RSV reverse transcriptase, ALV reverse transcriptase, MuLV reverse transcriptase, Sensiscript, SuperScript™

, Thermo Script™

, Omniscript or any mutants or modified versions of the foregoing.

479. The process of claim 460, 461 or 462, wherein said target nucleic acid is RNA or DNA.

480. The process of claim 460, 461 or 462, wherein said target nucleic acid comprises sequences of Human Papilloma Virus.

481. The process of claim 460, 461 or 462 wherein said rendering, contacting and extension steps take place during a polymerase chain reaction, a 3SR reaction, a NASBA reaction, a Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, a Strand Displacement Amplification reaction or an isothermal hairpin amplification reaction

482. A process for preparing one or more complementary copies of a target nucleic acid with altered primer binding site comprising the steps of:

(A) providing;

(i) a target nucleic acid to be copied; and

(ii) at least one first forward primer and at least one second forward primer wherein;

(a) said first forward primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases;

(b) said first forward primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a first region of said target nucleic acid;

(c) said second forward primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a nucleic acid formed by using said first forward primer as a template;

(d) said second forward primer comprises a non-degenerate base in at least one position occupied by said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer; and

(e) said non-degenerate base is the complement of the preferred base that is incorporated when said selective degenerate base is used in a template;

(iii) one or more reverse primers wherein said reverse primers comprise sequences substantially identical to a second region of said target nucleic acid; and

(iv) means for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis;

(B) contacting said target nucleic acid with said first forward primer;

(C) extending said first forward primer by means of a template-dependent polymerase to form a first copy;

(D) rendering a reverse primer binding sequence available in said first copy;

(E) contacting said first copy with said reverse primer;

(F) extending said reverse primer using said first copy as a template wherein at least one of the nucleotides incorporated into a site opposite a degenerate base in said first forward primer is different from the nucleotide in the target nucleic acid used as a template in step (b) thereby forming an altered forward primer binding sequence in said second copy;

(G) rendering said altered forward primer binding sequence available in said second copy;

(H) contacting said second copy with said second forward primer;

(I) extending said second forward primer using said second copy as a template, thereby providing a third copy of said target nucleic acid; and

(J) optionally continuing a further series of rendering, contacting and extension steps and thereby providing one or more copies of said target nucleic acid with an altered primer binding site.

483. The process of claim 482, wherein said one or more reverse primers comprises at least one first reverse primer and at least one second reverse primer wherein:

(a) said first reverse primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases;

(b) said first reverse primer comprises sequences substantially identical to sequences of a second region of said nucleic acid;

(c) said second reverse primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a nucleic acid formed by using said first reverse primer as a template; and

(d) said second reverse primer lacks said one or more degenerate bases in said first reverse primer.

484. The process of claim 482 or 483, wherein a further series of rendering, contacting and extending steps are carried to provide additional copies of said target nucleic acids with altered primer binding sequences.

485. The process of claim 484, wherein after a series of rendering, contacting and extending steps, the conditions of contacting and extension are changed such that the target nucleic acid provided in said providing step (i) is less efficiently used as a target for extension events by said first forward primer or said first reverse primer, compared to the use of said extension products by said second forward primer or said second reverse primer.

486. The process of claim 482 wherein said second forward primer comprises one or more additional bases at its 3′

end compared to said first forward primer.

487. The process of claim 483 wherein said second reverse primer comprises one or more additional bases at its 3′

end compared to said first reverse primer.

488. The process of claim 482 or 483 wherein said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer or said first reverse primer comprises Inosine, “

K”

or a combination of the preceding.

489. The process of claim 488 wherein said second forward primer or said second reverse primer comprises a G in the position occupied by Inosine in said first forward primer or said second forward primer.

490. The process of claim 488 wherein said second forward primer or said second reverse primer comprises an A in the position occupied by “

K”

in said first forward primer or said second forward primer.

491. The process of claim 482 or 483, wherein said first forward primer, said second forward primer, said first reverse primer, said second reverse primer or any combination thereof additionally comprise one or more degenerate bases wherein said additional degenerate base lacks a substantial preference for a particular base as a substrate for incorporation when said additional base is used as a template.

492. The process of claim 491 wherein said degenerate base lacking a substantial preference for a particular base as a substrate for incorporation is selected from the group comprising 8-oxo-guanosine and “

P”

.

493. The process of claim 482, 483 or 484, further comprising the step of detecting the presence of said altered priming binding sequence wherein said detection is carried out by measurement of the binding of a labeled probe wherein said labeled probe is complementary to said altered prime binding sequence.

494. The process of claim 493, wherein said labeled probes comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

495. The process of claim 482, 483 or 484, wherein one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues are incorporated.

496. The process of claim 495, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise one or more labels selected from the group consisting of biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

499. The process of claim 484, further comprising the step of detecting the presence of target nucleic acid sequences other than said forward primer binding sequence, said altered forward primer binding sequence, said reverse primer binding sequence and said altered reverse primer binding sequence.

500. The process of claim 482, wherein said means (iv) for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting Taq DNA polymerase, Klenow Fragment, DNA polymerase I, Bst DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Pfx DNA polymerase, Elongase, Herculase, Taq Plus, Deep-vent Polymerase, Vent DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Thermal Ace™

polymerase, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-2 reverse transcriptase, AMV reverse transcriptase, MMLV reverse transcriptase, RSV reverse transcriptase, ALV reverse transcriptase, MuLV reverse transcriptase, Sensiscript, SuperScript™

, Thermo Script™

, Omniscript or any mutants or modified versions of the foregoing.

501. The process of claim 482, 483 or 484, wherein said target nucleic acid is RNA or DNA.

502. The process of claim 482, 483 or 484, wherein said target nucleic acid comprises sequences of Human Papilloma Virus.

503. The process of claim 482, 483 or 484, wherein said rendering, contacting and extension steps take place during a polymerase chain reaction, a 3SR reaction, a NASBA reaction, a Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, a Strand Displacement Amplification reaction or an isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

504. A process for preparing one or more copies of a target nucleic acid comprising the steps of:

(A) providing;

(i) a target nucleic acid to be copied; and

(ii) at least one first forward primer and at least one second forward primer wherein;

(A) said first forward primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases;

(B) said first forward primer comprise sequences substantially complementary to sequences of a first region of said nucleic acid;

(C) said second forward primer comprise sequences substantially complementary to a nucleic acid formed by using said first forward primer as a template; and

(D) said second forward primer comprises a non-degenerate base in at least one position occupied by said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer and wherein said non-degenerate base is the complement of the preferred base that is incorporated when said selective degenerate base is used in a template;

(iii) one or more reverse primers wherein said reverse primers comprise sequences substantially identical to a second region of said target nucleic acid; and

(iv) means for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis;

(B) contacting said target nucleic acid with said first forward primer and binding said first forward primer to a forward primer binding sequence;

(C) extending said first forward primer by means of a template-dependent polymerase to form a first copy;

(D) rendering a reverse primer binding sequence available in said first copy;

(E) contacting said first copy with said reverse primer and binding said reverse primer to said reverse primer binding sequence;

(F) extending said reverse primer using said first copy as a template wherein said preferred nucleotide is inserted opposite said degenerate base;

(G) rendering a forward primer binding sequence available in said second copy;

(H) contacting said second copy with said second forward primer and binding said second forward primer to said forward primer binding sequence in said second copy; and

(I) extending said second forward primer using said second copy as a template thereby providing a copy of said target nucleic acid; and

(J) optionally continuing a further series of rendering, contacting and extension steps and thereby providing one or more copies of said target nucleic acid.

505. The process of claim 504, wherein said one or more reverse primers comprises at least one first reverse primer and at least one second reverse primer wherein:

(a) said first reverse primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases;

(b) said first reverse primer comprises sequences substantially identical to sequences of a second region of said nucleic acid;

(c) said second reverse primer comprises sequences substantially complementary to a nucleic acid formed by using said first reverse primer as a template; and

(d) said second reverse primer lacks said one or more degenerate bases in said first reverse primer.

506. The process of claim 504 or 505, wherein a further series of rendering, contacting and extending steps are carried to provide additional copies of said target nucleic acids with altered primer binding sequences.

507. The process of claim 506, wherein after a series of rendering, contacting and extending steps, the conditions of contacting and extension are changed such that the target nucleic acid provided in said providing step (i) is less efficiently used as a target for extension events by said first forward primer or said first reverse primer, compared to the use of said extension products by said second forward primer or said second reverse primer.

508. The process of claim 504, wherein said second forward primer comprises one or more additional bases at its 3′

end compared to said first forward primer.

509. The process of claim 505, wherein said second reverse primer comprises one or more additional bases at its 3′

end compared to said first reverse primer.

510. The process of claim 504 or 505, wherein said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer or said first reverse primer comprises Inosine, “

K”

or a combination of the preceding.

511. The process of claim 510 wherein said second forward primer or said second reverse primer comprises a G in the position occupied by Inosine in said first forward primer or said second forward primer.

512. The process of claim 510 wherein said second forward primer or said second reverse primer comprises an A in the position occupied by “

K”

in said first forward primer or said second forward primer.

513. The process of claim 504 or 505, wherein said first forward primer, said second forward primer, said first reverse primer, said second reverse primer or any combination thereof additionally comprise one or more degenerate bases wherein said additional degenerate base lacks a substantial preference for a particular base as a substrate for incorporation when said additional base is used as a template.

514. The process of claim 513 wherein said degenerate base lacking a substantial preference for a particular base as a substrate for incorporation is selected from the group comprising 8-oxo-guanosine and “

P”

.

515. The process of claim 504, 505 or 506, further comprising the step of detecting the presence of said altered priming binding sequence wherein said detection is carried out by measurement of the binding of a labeled probe wherein said labeled probe is complementary to said altered prime binding sequence.

516. The process of claim 515, wherein said labeled probes comprises biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

517. The process of claim 504, 505 or 506, wherein one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues are incorporated.

518. The process of claim 517, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise one or more labels selected from the group consisting of biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

519. The process of claim 504, 505 or 506, wherein one or more of said rendering steps comprises thermal denaturation, secondary structure formation, enzyme digestion, strand displacement or any combination thereof.

520. The process of claim 519 wherein said enzyme comprises RnaseH or a restriction enzyme.

521. The process of claim 506, further comprising the step of detecting the presence of target nucleic acid sequences other than said forward primer binding sequence, said altered forward primer binding sequence, said reverse primer binding sequence and said altered reverse primer binding sequence.

522. The process of claim 504, wherein said means (iv) for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis comprises Taq DNA polymerase, Klenow Fragment, DNA polymerase I, Bst DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Pfx DNA polymerase, Elongase, Herculase, Taq Plus, Deep-vent Polymerase, Vent DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Thermal Ace™

polymerase, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-2 reverse transcriptase, AMV reverse transcriptase, MMLV reverse transcriptase, RSV reverse transcriptase, ALV reverse transcriptase, MULV reverse transcriptase, Sensiscript, SuperScript™

, Thermo Script™

, Omniscript, any mutants or modified versions of the foregoing or any combination of the foregoing.

523. The process of claim 504, 505 or 506, wherein said target nucleic acid is RNA or DNA.

524. The process of claim 504, 505 or 506, wherein said target nucleic acid comprises sequences of Human Papilloma Virus.

525. The process of claim 504, 505 or 506, wherein said rendering, contacting and extension steps take place during a polymerase chain reaction, a 3SR reaction, a NASBA reaction, a Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, a Strand Displacement Amplification reaction or an isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

526. A composition of matter comprising at least two nucleic acid primers wherein

(i) said nucleic acid primers comprise sequences substantially complementary to the same region of a target nucleic acid;

(ii) a first nucleic acid primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases; and

(iii) a second nucleic acid primer comprises a non-degenerate base in at least one position occupied by said selective degenerate base in said first nucleic acid primer and wherein said non-degenerate base is the complement of the preferred base that is incorporated when said selective degenerate base is used in a template.

527. A composition of matter comprising two or more forward primers and one or more reverse primers wherein:

(i) said forward primers comprise sequences substantially complementary to sequences of a first region of a target nucleic acid and said reverse primers comprise sequences substantially identical to sequences in a second region of said target nucleic acid; and

(ii) said two or more forward primers comprise at least one first forward primer and at least one second forward primer wherein

a) said first forward primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases; and

b) said second forward primer comprises a non-degenerate base in at least one position occupied by said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer and wherein said non-degenerate base is the complement of the preferred base that is incorporated when said selective degenerate base is used in a template.

528. A composition of matter comprising two or more forward primers and two or more reverse primers wherein:

(i) said forward primers comprise sequences substantially complementary to sequences of a first region of a target nucleic acid and said reverse primers comprise sequences substantially identical to sequences in a second region of said target nucleic acid; and

(ii) said two or more forward primers comprise at least one first forward primer and at least one second forward primer wherein;

a) said first forward primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases; and

b) said second forward primer comprises a non-degenerate base in at least one position occupied by said selective degenerate base in said first forward primer and said non-degenerate base is the complement of the preferred base that is incorporated when said selective degenerate base is used in a template; and

(iii) said two or more reverse primers comprise at least one first reverse primer and at least one second reverse primer wherein;

a) said first reverse primer comprises one or more selective degenerate bases; and

b) said second reverse primer comprises a non-degenerate base in at least one position occupied by said selective degenerate base in said first reverse primer and said non-degenerate base is the complement of the preferred base that is incorporated when said selective degenerate base is used in a template.

529. A process for preparing one or more copies of a nucleic acid target comprising the steps of:

(a) providing;

(i) a target nucleic acid strand to be copied;

(ii) at least one forward primer comprising sequences complementary to said target nucleic acid strand and at least one reverse primer comprising sequences identical to sequences of said target nucleic acid strand wherein;

(A) said forward primer is a nucleic acid construct comprising at least two segments;

(B) said first segment of said forward primer comprising nucleic acid sequences complementary to a first region of said target nucleic acid strand;

(C) said first segment of said forward primer is capable of being extended with said target nucleic acid as a template;

(D) said second segment of said forward primer comprising sequences complementary to a second region of said target nucleic acid strand;

(E) said second segment of said forward primer incapable of acting as a primer; and

(F) said second segment of said forward primer substantially not acting as a template; and

(iii) means for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis;

(b) binding said first segment and said second segment of said forward primer

(ii) to said target nucleic acid strand (i);

(c) extending said first segment of said forward primer (ii) by means of a template-dependent polymerase to form a first copy;

(d) rendering a reverse primer binding sequence available in said first copy;

(e) binding said reverse primer to said reverse primer binding sequence; and

(f) extending said reverse primer using said first copy as a template thereby forming a second copy substantially lacking sequences complementary to said second segment of said forward primer.

530. The process of claim 529, wherein said reverse primer is a nucleic acid construct comprising at least two segments wherein:

(A) said first segment of said reverse primer comprises nucleic acid sequences complementary to a first region of said first copy;

(B) said first segment of said reverse primer is capable of being extended with said first copy as a template;

(C) said second segment of said reverse primer comprises sequences complementary to a second region of said first copy;

(D) said second segment of said reverse primer is incapable of acting as a primer; and

(E) said second segment of said reverse primer substantially does not act as a template.

531. The process of claim 529 or 530, wherein said first segment and said second segment (ii) are joined by a linkage that comprises an inverted linkage or a non-nucleotide linkage.

532. The process of claim 531, wherein said inverted linkage comprises a 5′

-5′

linkage.

533. The process of claim 531, wherein said non-nucleotide linkage comprises abasic nucleic acids, peptide nucleic acids, abasic peptide nucleic acids, aliphatic chains, or any combination thereof.

534. The process of claim 529 or 530, wherein said second segment comprises unmodified nucleotides, modified nucleotides, nucleotide analogues or any combination thereof.

535. The process of claim 534, wherein said nucleotide analogues comprise peptide nucleic acid moieties, degenerate bases, universal bases or any combination thereof.

536. The process of claim 535, wherein said degenerate bases are selected from the group consisting of Inosine, 8-oxo-guanosine, “

P” and

“

K”

.

537. The process of claim 535, wherein said universal bases are chosen from the group consisting of 3-nitropyrrole and 5-nitroindole.

538. The process of claim 529 or 530, wherein said process comprises a further step wherein said target nucleic acid is rendered available for binding of said nucleic acid construct.

539. The process of claim 529 or 530, wherein a series of rendering, binding and extension steps are carried out.

540. The process of claim 529, 530, 538 or 539, wherein one or more of said rendering steps comprises thermal denaturation, secondary structure formation, enzyme digestion, strand displacement or any combination thereof.

541. The process of claim 529, 530, 538 or 539, wherein one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues are incorporated during said extension step or steps.

542. The process of claim 541, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

542-2. The process of claim 529, wherein said forward primer, said reverse primer or both said forward primer and said reverse primer comprise one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

543. The processes of claim 542, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

544. The process of claim 529, wherein said means (iii) for template-dependent nucleic acid synthesis comprises Taq DNA polymerase, Klenow Fragment, DNA polymerase I, Bst DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Pfx DNA polymerase, Elongase, Herculase, Taq Plus, Deep-vent Polymerase, Vent DNA polymerase, T4 DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Bca DNA polymerase, Thermal Ace™

polymerase, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, HIV-2 reverse transcriptase, AMV reverse transcriptase, MMLV reverse transcriptase, RSV reverse transcriptase, ALV reverse transcriptase, MuLV reverse transcriptase, Sensiscript, SuperScript™

, Thermo Script™

, Omniscript, any mutants or modified versions of the foregoing or any combination of the foregoing.

545. The process of claim 529, wherein said target nucleic acid is RNA or DNA.

546. The process of claim 529, wherein said target nucleic acid comprises sequences of Human Papilloma Virus.

547. The process of claim 539, wherein said series of rendering, binding and extension steps comprises a polymerase chain reaction, a 3SR reaction, a NASBA reaction, a Transcription Mediated Amplification reaction, a Strand Displacement Amplification reaction or an isothermal hairpin amplification reaction.

548. The process of claim 539 or 540, wherein in said providing step (a) one or more additional primers or nucleic acid constructs are provided wherein said additional primers or nucleic acid constructs comprise all or a portion of the sequences of said first segment and wherein said additional primers or nucleic acid constructs lack said second segment.

549. The process of claim 548, wherein said additional primers or nucleic acid constructs comprise one or more additional nucleotides at their 3′

ends compared to said nucleic acid construct with at least two segments.

550. The process of claim 549, wherein at least one of said additional nucleic acid constructs comprises at least two segments wherein:

(A) a first segment of said additional nucleic acid construct comprises nucleic acid sequences complementary to a region of said target nucleic acid strand;

(B) the region of said target nucleic acid strand that is complementary to the first segment of said additional nucleic acid construct either partially or completely overlaps the region of said target nucleic acid strand that is complementary to the first segment of said forward primer (ii);

(C) said first segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is capable of being extended with said target nucleic acid strand as a template;

(D) a second segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is complementary to said target nucleic acid strand;

(E) said second segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a primer; and

(F) said second segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is substantially incapable of acting as a template.

551. The process of claim 549, wherein at least one of said additional nucleic acid constructs comprises at least two segments wherein:

(A) a first segment of said additional nucleic acid construct comprises nucleic acid sequences complementary to a region of said first copy;

(B) the region of said target nucleic acid strand that is complementary to the first segment of said additional nucleic acid construct either partially or completely overlaps the region of said first copy that is complementary to the first segment of said reverse primer (ii);

(C) said first segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is capable of being extended with said first copy as a template;

(D) a second segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is incapable of acting as a primer; and

(E) said second segment of said additional nucleic acid construct is substantially incapable of acting as a template.

552. A composition of matter comprising at least one forward primer and at least one reverse primer wherein when a target nucleic acid is in double-stranded form, said forward primer is complementary to one strand of a target nucleic acid and said reverse primer is complementary to the other strand, and wherein said reverse primer or both said forward primer and said reverse primer comprise a nucleic acid construct wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises two segments wherein:

(A) said first segment comprises nucleic acid sequences complementary to a first region of a target nucleic acid strand;

(B) said first segment is capable of being extended with said target nucleic acid strand as a template;

(C) said second segment comprises a nucleic acid sequence complementary to said target nucleic acid strand;

(D) said second segment is incapable of acting as a primer; and

(E) said first segment and said second segment are joined by a linkage that comprises an inverted linkage or a non-nucleotide linkage.

553. The composition of claim 552, wherein said second segment comprises unmodified nucleotides, modified nucleotides, nucleotide analogues or any combination thereof.

554. The composition of claim 553, wherein said nucleotide analogues comprise peptide nucleic acid moieties, degenerate bases, universal bases or any combination thereof.

555. The composition of claim 554, wherein said degenerate bases comprise Inosine, 8-oxo-guanosine, “

P” and

“

K”

or any combination thereof.

556. The composition of claim 554, wherein said universal bases comprise 3-nitropyrrole, 5-nitroindole or any combination thereof.

557. The composition of claim 552, wherein said nucleic acid construct comprises one or more labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues.

558. The composition of claim 557, wherein said labeled nucleotides or labeled nucleotide analogues comprise biotin, iminobiotin, an electron dense component, a magnetic component, a hormone component, a metal-containing component, a fluorescent component, a chromogenic component, a chemiluminescent component, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody component, a chelating component or any combination thereof.

559. The composition of claim 552, wherein said inverted linkage comprises a 5′

-5′

linkage.

560. The composition of claim 552, wherein said non-nucleotide linkage comprises abasic nucleic acids, peptide nucleic acids, abasic peptide nucleic acids or aliphatic chains.

561. The composition of claim 552 wherein said non-nucleotide linkage comprises one or more nucleotide analogues that are substantially unable to be used as templates for the synthesis of a complementary copy.

562. The composition of claim 552, wherein said first segment comprises a sequence with one or more mismatches with said target nucleic acid strand.

563. The composition of claim 552, wherein said second segment comprises a sequence with one or more mismatches with said target nucleic strand.

564. The composition of claim 552, wherein said target nucleic acid strand comprises sequences of Human Papilloma Virus.