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・Application Note・

Nucleic Acid Dyes: Comparisons & Selection Criteria

Format, Spectral Profile, Extinction Coefficient (ε), Quantum Yield (Φ), & Cost

With hundreds of dyes on the market, it is challenging to determine the optimal one for any given experiment. To simplify the process, here are what we consider the 10 best options.

Nucleic acid dyes are available in membrane-permeant and impermeant formats for live and dead cell analysis and in various wavelengths to support multiplex and colocalization studies with other fluorescent probes. 

DNA is one of the most important macromolecules in biology. It acts as the instructions for critical cell processes such as protein synthesis and is the blueprint for much of cellular structure.
 
Featured Dye— DAPI (4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole)

• Fluorescence is enhanced by 20-fold upon binding to nucleic acids.
• Membrane-permeant dye— DAPI has high binding affinity for adenine-thymine (AT) rich regions of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). It is very useful for cell counting and sorting and measuring apoptosis.
• The preinstalled filter set on many instruments makes it very easy to use in flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.

The molar extinction coefficient (ε) and quantum yield (Φ), as well as the spectral information for selecting the correct filter set, are useful metrics for determining how suitable any probe will be for a given experiment.

Visualizing the cell nucleus using high-affinity nucleic acid dyes can be challenging. Consult our FAQs or contact us for assistance in making the best use of our materials.