Fluorescent dyes, also known as fluorophores, are compounds that absorb light at one wavelength and emit light at a higher wavelength, resulting in fluorescence. These fluorescent dyes can be categorized into various groups, including organic dyes such as fluorescein, rhodamine, and AMCA, biological fluorophores like green fluorescent protein, phycoerythrin, and allophycocyanin, and quantum dots. They are commonly employed in labeling biomolecules with fluorescence. Notably, they offer advantages of smaller size and greater photostability compared to fluorescent proteins.
Furthermore, fluorophores are considered safe for usage and do not necessitate radiological controls. Multiple fluorophores can be utilized simultaneously without interference as long as their emission spectra do not overlap.
Fluorescent Dyes Examples by Emission Color
Blue/Cyan Emitting Fluorescent Dyes:
- Hoechst dyes: Emit blue fluorescence and are commonly used for DNA staining in microscopy.
- DAPI (4′,6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole): Emit blue fluorescence and are also used for DNA staining.
Green Emitting Fluorescent Dyes:
- FITC (Fluorescein Isothiocyanate): Emit green fluorescence and are widely used in biochemistry and cell biology.
- GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein): Naturally occurring protein that emits green fluorescence and is used in molecular and cell biology.
- Alexa Fluor 488: Emit green fluorescence and are popular for conjugation to antibodies for immunofluorescence studies.
Yellow/Orange Emitting Fluorescent Dyes:
- Rhodamine dyes: Emit orange to red fluorescence and are commonly used in microscopy and flow cytometry.
- Texas Red: Emit red fluorescence and are used in various imaging applications.
- Cy3 (Cyanine 3): Emit orange-red fluorescence and are used in nucleic acid and protein labeling.
Red Emitting Fluorescent Dyes:
- Cy5 (Cyanine 5): Emit deep red fluorescence and are used in a variety of applications including DNA sequencing and protein labeling.
- Alexa Fluor 647: Emit red fluorescence and are frequently used in multicolor fluorescence imaging.
- Propidium Iodide: Emit red fluorescence and are used for cell cycle analysis and DNA staining.
Near-Infrared Emitting Fluorescent Dyes:
- IRDye 800CW: Emit near-infrared fluorescence and are used in applications like in vivo imaging.
- Cy7 (Cyanine 7): Emit near-infrared fluorescence and are utilized in molecular imaging and flow cytometry.
Fluorescent Dyes Applications
Cellular Imaging and Microscopy: Fluorescent dyes are extensively used to visualize cellular structures, organelles, and molecules under a microscope. They aid researchers in studying cellular processes, protein localization, and intracellular dynamics.
Protein Labeling and Tracking: Fluorescent tags attached to proteins enable real-time tracking of their movement and interactions within cells. This aids in studying protein function and cellular processes.
Immunofluorescence Assays: Fluorescent labeled antibodies are employed to detect specific antigens in tissues or cells. This is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and diagnosing medical.
Other related reading:
Classification and application of fluorescent dyes
The use of fluorescent dyes and how to judge the brightness
Analysis of advantages and disadvantages of fluorescent dye method and probe method
Characteristics of 5 kinds of fluorescent dyes commonly used in nucleic acid detection