Applications:
- Non-carcinogenic alternative to ethidium bromide.
- Excellent for nucleic acid electrophoresis and purification applications.

Description: AtlasSight DNA Stain is a nucleic acid stain which can be used as a safer alternative to the traditional ethidium bromide stain for detecting nucleic acid in agarose gels. It is as sensitive as ethidium bromide and can be used exactly the same way in agarose gel electrophoresis for precast gels (Figure 1). Additionally, when when better sensitivity is needed - poststaining is recommended.

AtlasSight DNA Stain emits green fluorescence when bound to DNA or RNA. It has two secondary fluorescence excitation peaks (~300 nm; ~400 nm) and one strong excitation peak centered around 500 nm. The fluorescence emission is similar to ethidium bromide when bound to DNA - at ~ 540 nm.

AtlasSight DNA Stain is non-carcinogenic and according to the Ames test it causes significantly fewer mutations than ethidium bromide. In addition, the test results of micronucleus test in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes and of chromosomal aberration test in mice testicular spermatocytes with AtlasSight DNA Stain were negative. Therefore it is wise to choose AtlasSight DNA Stain instead of ethidium bromide for detecting nucleic acid in agarose gels.

Figure 1. Agarose gels, stained by AtlasSight DNA Stain (A and B) and Ethidium bromide (C).

Protocol:
Precasting: Prepare 100 ml of agarose gel solution (concentration from 0.8-3.0%) and heat until the solution is completely clear and no small floating particles are visible. Add 2-5 µl of AtlasSight DNA Stain to the cooled gel solution (60-70ºC), mix it gently and pour into the gel tray (for higher sensitivity, the gel should be less than 0.5 cm thick). When the gel is solid, load the samples and perform electrophoresis. Detect the bands under UV. Note: Repeated melting of gels containing AtlasSight DNA Stain may result in low sensitivity.

Poststaining: For <0.5 cm thick agarose gel, 5-15 ul of the stain should be used per 100 ml of buffer. Optimal staining time (5 - 60 minutes) and the amount of the stain may depend on the thickness of the gel and the percentage of agarose. Note: The AtlasSight poststaining solution may be used 2-3 times. Staining solution to be reused should be preferably stored at room temperature in the dark.

Storage conditions: Store at room temperature or at +4°C, protected from light.
 

Comments: These products are supplied for research use only.

Description: Atlas Ethidium Bromide Solution (1%) is a concentrated fluorescent staining solution for visualizing ribonucleic acids in agarose and polyacrylamide gels. Ethidium bromide is excited with a standard 302 nm UV transilluminator and emits a red-orange signal.

Storage conditions: Store at +4°C protected from light.

Comments: This product is supplied for research use only.