DNA dyes
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DNA dyes stain deoxyribonucleic acid for laboratory purposes such as detection and quantification. Many DNA dyes also bind to RNA and could be more broadly described as nucleic acid stains. Common dyes included ethidium bromide (EtBr), esp. for agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA, and DAPI for staining the cell nucleus in fluorescent microscopy.
Dyes for DNA in agarose gel electrophoresis
- ethidium bromide - traditional DNA stain
- SYBR Gold - DNA & RNA, 10x more sensitive than EtBr
- SYBR Green I - better for DNA, 20x more sensitive than EtBr (60 pg per band with 300 nm transillumination)
- SYBR Green II - better for RNA, detection limit is 500 pg of RNA per band in non-denaturing gels with 300 nm transillumination
Dyes for DNA in fluorescent microscopy
Binding mode
- intercalating: EtBr
See also
Wikipedia entries for:
