Hot Start Taq DNA Polymerase is a mixture of Taq DNA Polymerase and an aptamer-based inhibitor. The inhibitor binds reversibly to the enzyme, inhibiting polymerase activity at temperatures below 45C, but releases the enzyme during normal cycling conditions, allowing reactions to be set up at room temperature. This aptamer-based hot start does not require a separate high temperature incubation step to activate the enzyme. Taq DNA polymerase possesses a 5' to 3' polymerase activity and a 5' flap endonuclease activity. It is supplied with 10X Standard Taq Reaction Buffer, which is detergent-free and designed to be compatible with existing assay systems.