Ethidium Bromide CAS 1239-45-8: A Comprehensive Guide to its Applications and Properties
Discover the essential fluorescent dye for DNA and RNA visualization in molecular biology.
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Ethidium Bromide
Ethidium bromide (EtBr) is a cornerstone fluorescent dye in molecular biology, indispensable for visualizing DNA and RNA. Its intercalating properties allow it to embed between DNA base pairs, significantly enhancing fluorescence when excited by ultraviolet light. This makes it a highly sensitive reagent for detecting nucleic acids in techniques like gel electrophoresis, enabling the study of DNA fragments and RNA molecules.
- Explore the use of ethidium bromide for DNA visualization in gel electrophoresis and its critical role in various molecular biology workflows.
- Understand the intercalating agent DNA mechanism, where EtBr binds to nucleic acids, leading to enhanced fluorescence.
- Learn about the ethidium bromide mutagenicity and the necessary safety precautions for handling this laboratory chemical.
- Discover ethidium bromide alternatives that offer similar or improved performance with reduced toxicity, a key consideration for modern labs.
Key Advantages
High Sensitivity
As a fluorescent nucleic acid stain, EtBr offers excellent sensitivity, allowing detection of small amounts of DNA or RNA, crucial for analyzing faint bands in gel electrophoresis.
Versatile Application
Its application extends to both double-stranded and single-stranded nucleic acids, making it a versatile tool for various molecular biology techniques, including RNA gel staining.
Established Standard
For decades, ethidium bromide has been the standard in laboratories worldwide for DNA visualization dye, providing reliable and reproducible results.
Key Applications
DNA/RNA Staining
Widely used for staining DNA and RNA in gels, facilitating visualization and analysis of nucleic acid fragments, crucial for experiments such as PCR amplicon detection.
Gel Electrophoresis
An essential component in agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, enabling the separation and identification of nucleic acids based on size.
Molecular Biology Research
Integral to numerous molecular biology protocols, including DNA fragment analysis, cloning, and sequencing, assisting researchers in understanding genetic material.
Veterinary Medicine
Historically used in veterinary medicine for treating trypanosomiasis in cattle, highlighting its broader biological applications.