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°C

References

1. Molecular Cloning
2. Technical information from Invitrogen
3. SYBR Gold Nucleic Acid Gel Stain product info from Invitrogen
4. General SYBR stain tips and tricks from Invitrogen