FAQs for Floro+Red and Floro+Green
- What is the recommended storage temperature for Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stain?
It is recommended to store both nucleic acid stains at 4°C in the dark. By doing so, the stability is preserved for repeatable optimal performance.
- Which nucleic acid stain is recommended for staining RNA?
Both Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stains can be used to stain RNA,ssDNA and dsDNA.
- Is either Floro⁺Red or Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stain compatible with acrylamide gels?
Yes, both Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stains are compatible with acrylamide gels. For acrylamide gels, it is recommended to perform post-staining.
- Can Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stain be used with TAE and TBE buffers?
Yes, both Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stains are compatible with both TAE and TBE buffers.
- On what basis should I select which nucleic acid stain to use? Do I have to change filters on my current Illuminator?
If you are currently using a UV Transilluminator, select Floro⁺Red Nucleic Acid Stain. It has the same spectral properties as Ethidium Bromide, hence there is no requirement to change filters. Standard EtBr filter is applicable.
If you are using a LED Illuminator, select Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stain. This is a safer alternative than a UV Transilluminator, due to the potential of harmful UV radiation exposure. Standard SYBR filter is applicable.
- How safe are Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stain, compared to Ethidium Bromide or SYBR Green?
Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stains have been tested for cell membrane permeability in Cell Staining Test. It yielded a negative result, in which there were no fluorescence of stained cells after incubation.
Floro⁺Red Nucleic Acid Stain has been tested under Mutagenicity and Environmental Safety Test (Ames Test), using Salmonella strain TA97, TA98, TA100and TA102. It yielded a negative result, implying non-mutagenic properties to the 4 strains (with/without S9 metabolic activation).
- Do I need to take any precautionary measures for disposal?
Both Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stains are tested under the Aquatic Toxicity Test. At 3X concentration,both stains are classified as non-hazardous to aquatic life. To be safely released into the environment, ensure that the concentration is ≤ 3X.
- What are the protocols for pre-cast and post-staining for Floro⁺Red and Floro⁺Green Nucleic Acid Stains?
- Pre-stained (not recommended for polyacrylamide gels)
- Prepare 100ml of 0.8 – 3.0% agarose gel solution.
- Heat till solution is completely clear.
- Aliquot 10µl of Nucleic Acid Stain and mix gently with gel.
- Cast gel and allow the gel to solidify.
- Load samples into solidified gel and perform electrophoresis.
- Detect bands under UV Illuminator or LED Illuminator.
- Post-stained (recommended for better sensitivity and polyacrylamide gels)
- Produce a 3X staining solution in a saline solution. (Example of recipe: 15µl of Nucleic Acid Stain, 5ml of 1M Sodium Chloride and 45ml of H2O.)
- Place the gel in a polypropylene container and carefully pour the 3X staining solution till gel is submerged.
- Gently oscillate the gel at ambient temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Increase oscillation time for higher concentrations of acrylamide.
- Visualize the gel under UV Illuminator or LED Illuminator.
- Pre-stained (not recommended for polyacrylamide gels)
- How many times can Floro+Red and Floro+Green be reused for post-staining?
Staining solution can be reused at least 2-3 times. Store staining solution at room temperature protected from light.