Lipophilic dyes such as DiI, DiO, and the PKH series intercalate into any lipid bilayer. They label EVs, apoptotic bodies, lipoproteins, and membrane debris equally. EV-specific kits use chemistries designed to reduce labelling of non-vesicular particles. They also include washing steps to remove unincorporated dye. This gives better signal-to-noise in uptake and NTA fluorescence assays.
Extracellular Vesicles / Exosomes
Exosome Labelling Kits for Fluorescent EV Tracking and Imaging
Fluorescent exosome labelling kits for cleaner EV tracking than lipophilic dyes
These kits use vesicle-targeted chemistries rather than generic membrane intercalation, giving you cleaner background from debris and non-vesicular particles when you track extracellular vesicles in live cells or in vivo. Fluorescent EV labelling kits target four distinct compartments, so you can match the label to your assay. These are internal proteins (blue channel, visible at confocal-standard wavelengths) and EV-encapsulated RNA cargo. They also include membrane lipids optimised for nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and near-infrared labels for in vivo biodistribution and whole-animal imaging.
All labelling kits work on isolated EVs after purification. Standard protocols take 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature. They are compatible with storage or your immediate downstream use.
These kits support the fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, NTA, and in vivo IVIS imaging you already run.
Pick your exosome labelling kit by assay format and detection channel.
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Assay format. For uptake in cultured cells by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry, choose protein-label or RNA-label kits. For NTA particle counting with a fluorescence gate, choose membrane-lipid label kits matched to your NTA instrument. For in vivo imaging by IVIS or near-infrared camera, choose near-infrared EV label kits.
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Label target. A membrane lipid label is optimised for NTA instruments and gives uniform particle-level fluorescence. A cargo RNA label confirms that RNA cargo stays inside EVs after isolation and labelling. An intravesicular protein label uses the standard confocal and flow cytometry channel on your instrument, with blue emission.
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Channel. Use the blue or green channel for standard confocal or flow with protein or RNA label kits. Use the near-infrared channel for your in vivo imaging or for multiplexing with GFP reporter lines, with a near-infrared EV label.
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Specificity requirement. Non-specific lipophilic dyes such as DiI and DiO are inexpensive. But they label any lipid membrane, including debris and apoptotic bodies. EV-validated labelling kits reduce background from non-vesicular particles. This improves signal-to-noise in your uptake and biodistribution studies.
Applications
Uptake mechanism studies
Membrane-lipid dyes image endocytic uptake by confocal microscopy with standard fluorescent dyes, distinguishing macropinocytosis from clathrin-mediated routes in your model.
In vivo biodistribution imaging
Near-infrared EV labelling kits let you inject purified exosomes intravenously in mouse models, then track organ tropism by whole-body IVIS imaging.
RNA cargo integrity confirmation
Nucleic-acid intercalators confirm that RNA cargo stays inside intact vesicles after isolation, before you extract it with RNA extraction kits.
Flow cytometric EV detection
Protein-label kits with blue-channel emission work on standard flow cytometers when EVs are captured on antibody-coated beads, or with your nano-flow cytometer.
Product Catalog
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Exosome Labelling
Fluorescent Exosome Labelling Kits for Cleaner EV Tracking
Frequently asked questions
Run a post-labelling NTA measurement. Confirm that size distribution and concentration match the pre-labelling measurement. A shift toward a larger mean diameter suggests vesicle aggregation, caused by excess dye or improper washing. You can also check membrane integrity by measuring retention of an encapsulated hydrophilic dye before and after the labelling-protocol washes.
DiR (1,1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide) is the most widely used near-infrared membrane dye for in vivo EV biodistribution by IVIS. It has excitation around 750 nm and emission around 780 nm. DiD gives a slightly shorter wavelength option. All lipophilic dyes carry the same caveat: signal reflects intact dye-labelled membranes. It cannot distinguish EV-associated dye from free dye that has spread to host tissues after vesicle degradation.
Yes, provided the labelling dye emission spectrum works with both instruments. Membrane-lipid labels with green or red emission channels work on standard flow cytometers when EVs are captured on antibody-coated beads, or when a nano-flow cytometer is used. You can image the same preparation by confocal microscopy in recipient cells. Confirm that your chosen dye does not photobleach rapidly under confocal illumination.
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