Molecular Probes prepares the most extensive assortment of nucleic acid stains commercially available, many of which have been developed in our research laboratories. This section discusses the physical properties of the various classes of dyes listed below.

Nucleic acid stains are chemical compounds designed to bind specifically to DNA or RNA, making them visible under specific conditions, such as ultraviolet (UV) light or through fluorescence microscopy.

Learn about the broad classes of nucleic acid stains and review some tips about how to effectively use them. The bulk of the content inside the nucleus is nucleic acid, so nucleic acid stains are the obvious choice for nuclear staining.

Explore dyes for visualizing DNA in electrophoresis gels including SYBR Safe DNA Gel Stain, SYBR Gold Nucleic Acid Gel Stain, and SYBR Green I Nucleic Acid Gel Stain.

Biotium offers several classic nucleic acid gel stains. Oxazole Gold (also known as SYBR® Gold) is a UV-excitable nucleic acid binding dye and is considered the most sensitive fluorescent DNA/RNA gel stain.

Stains (e.g. dyes) are an important class of reagent which bind to nucleic acids and nucleic acid fragments and enable detection and quantitation of these substances in solution, immobilized in gels (agarose or polyacrylamide) or blotted on membranes.

Nucleic Acid Staining: Definition, Principles, Dyes, Procedures, and Uses. Nucleic acid dyes are compounds that can bind to nucleic acids and are commonly used for the quantification and detection of nucleic acids. These dyes are generally aromatic compounds containing benzene rings or pyridine rings.