SYBR Gold

Recommended by Molecular Cloning as the best of the SYBR dyes from Molecular Probes.

General information

 * ten-fold more sensitive than ethidium bromide.
 * greater dynamic range.
 * penetrates gels quickly.
 * Stains both DNA and RNA in conventional neutral polyacrylamide and agarose gels and in denaturing gels using urea, glyoxal or formaldehyde.
 * stain gels post-electrophoresis because SYBR Gold likely binds the charge phosphate backbone of nucleic acids altering the electrophoretic mobility significantly. (DNA bands can come out curved).
 * low background so no destaining is necessary.
 * can be excited at by standard transillumination at 300nm.
 * stained nucleic acids can be transferred to membranes for Northerns or Southerns.
 * doesn't inhibit most enzymatic reactions except PCR. PCR is sensitive to high dye concentrations.  Address this issues by adjusting Mg2+ concentration or remove stain via ethanol precipitation.
 * very expensive
 * supplied at 10,000X concentration in anhydrous DMSO.
 * operates most efficiently between pH 7-8.5
 * stock solution is stable 6 months to 1 year at <= 20&deg;C