Nucleic Acid Stains

Fluorescent nucleic acid stains for safer, ethidium bromide-free gel visualisation

When you image gels, fluorescent nucleic acid stains visualise the bands. The shift from ethidium bromide to safer alternatives (GelRed, GelGreen) is largely complete in research labs.

Pick by safety and sensitivity.

1. Safety. Newer stains like GelRed and GelGreen are less mutagenic than ethidium bromide and easier to dispose of.
2. Sensitivity. Modern stains match or exceed ethidium bromide sensitivity at standard recommended dilutions.
3. Pre-cast versus post-stain. Pre-cast saves a step. Post-stain gives cleaner backgrounds.
4. Cost. Per-gel cost is comparable. The handling and waste protocol simplification is the real benefit.

ABM and Nippon Genetics supply non-toxic nucleic acid stains in this inventory.