Schematic representation of the MDA reaction. In panel (a), a dsDNA strand is shown. In panel (b), denaturation happens at 95 °C. In panel (c), the random hexamer-primers (purple) and ϕ29 DNA polymerase (blue arrow) bind to the initiation sites. In panel (d), the amplification is performed by the polymerase, which binds complementary bases to the ssDNA strand. In panel (e), the polymerase encounters another hexamer binded to an initiation site and starts lifting up this hexamer. In panel (f), a hexamer binds to the displaced ssDNA strands and the polymerase starts the amplification from this initiation site. For clarity, the amplified DNA is bordered with black.