SYBR Gold
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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