Here we describe a reliable method for isolating genes that are differentially expressed in two cell populations. The method is a combination of subtractive hybridization and PCR. Among many improvements to previously described methods is the incorporation of a new technology into the procedure which sterilizes(inactivates) PCR amplicons, and thereby overcomes the limitation of similar procedures. To test this improved method, we conducted a search for estrogen-responsive genes. Estrogen-regulated genes dominated the subtracted libraries after four rounds of subtractive hybridizations. Four estrogen-regulated genes were identified from the initial screening.