0
Specifications:
| Application | Cell Analysis | ||
| Storage Temperature | 2-8°C | ||
| Product Type | Molecular Biology Reagent | Forms | Solid |
| Product Brand | Thermo Fisher Scientific™ | ||
| Product Grade | Molecular Biology | Formula | C₁₆H₁₅N₅·2HCl |
Thermo Scientific™ DAPI (4′,6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole) is a highly specific blue fluorescent DNA-binding dye widely used in molecular biology and cell imaging applications. DAPI selectively binds to the minor groove of double-stranded DNA, exhibiting a dramatic increase (≈20-fold) in fluorescence upon binding. When excited with ultraviolet light, DAPI emits bright blue fluorescence, enabling clear visualization of cell nuclei with minimal cytoplasmic background.
DAPI is a gold-standard nuclear counterstain for immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), spatial transcriptomics, proteomics tissue imaging, and high-content screening workflows.
Key Features
- High DNA specificity – Selectively binds dsDNA minor groove
- Strong fluorescence enhancement upon binding
- Bright blue emission (Ex/Em: 360/460 nm)
- Excellent nuclear contrast with low cytoplasmic background
- Compatible with fluorescence microscopy & flow cytometry
- Available in standard and FluoroPure™ grade (>98% purity)
FluoroPure™ Grade Advantage
The FluoroPure™-grade DAPI undergoes stringent purification to minimize background fluorescence and impurities that could interfere with imaging. This makes it ideal for:
- Super-resolution microscopy
- High-content imaging
- Live-cell imaging (when appropriate)
- Quantitative DNA content analysis
Applications
DNA Staining
- Nuclear visualization in cultured cells and tissue sections
- Counterstain in immunofluorescence assays
- Multiplex fluorescence imaging
Cell Cycle Analysis
- Quantification of DNA content via flow cytometry
- Identification of G₁, S, and G₂/M phases
- Cell proliferation studies
Nuclear Morphology & Chromatin Studies
- Assessment of nuclear size and shape
- Chromatin condensation analysis
- Apoptosis and mitosis studies
High-Content Screening
- Automated nuclear segmentation
- Cell-based DNA quantitation assays
Preparation & Usage
Stock Solution Preparation (10 mg vial)
- Dissolve in 2 mL dH₂O or DMF → 5 mg/mL stock
- DAPI dilactate is more water-soluble than the dihydrochloride salt
- Sonication may be required for full dissolution
⚠ Not highly soluble in PBS for stock preparation.
Working Solution
- Dilute stock 1:5000 in water or PBS → ~1 µg/mL
- Filter working solution to remove aggregates
Optical Properties
- Excitation: 360 nm
- Emission: 460 nm (Blue)
- Detected using standard DAPI filter sets
Available Formats
| Catalog Number | Quantity | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 62248 | 1 mL (1 mg/mL solution) | Standard |
| D21490 | 10 mg | FluoroPure™ grade |
| D3571 | 10 mg | Standard |
| D1306 | 10 mg | Standard |
Storage
- Store solutions at 2–8°C
- Protect from light
- Ship at room temperature
Regulatory Information
- For Research Use Only (RUO)
- Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use
Thermo Scientific™ DAPI is a reliable and high-performance nuclear stain essential for fluorescence microscopy, cell cycle analysis, and advanced imaging applications. Its strong DNA-binding specificity, bright blue fluorescence, and availability in high-purity FluoroPure™ grade make it ideal for routine research and demanding quantitative imaging workflows.
- Ready-to-use Solution format: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride,10mg 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dilactate, 10mg FluoroPure™-grade, 10mg solution, 1 mg/mL, 1mL