Nucleic Acid Labeling and Detection
Nucleic acid labeling and detection products are used to add tags or labels to nucleic acids to enable detection or purification. The tagged nucleic acids are referred to as 'probes.'
Nucleotide labeling may include radioactive phosphates, biotin, fluorophores, and various enzymes. Bioconjugation methods that produce nucleic acid probes can also be adapted to attach them to other molecules (for targeted delivery) and surfaces (to facilitate immobilization).
Although nucleic acid probes can be labeled during synthesis, custom oligonucleotide probes can be expensive so many researchers choose to label their own.
Quick and efficient benchtop oligonucleotide labeling can be performed for making smaller probe amounts or when multiple probes with the same label are needed. Enzymatic methods are affordable for small-scale probe generation; chemical methods are more suited to larger scale reactions.
Probes can be labeled at either end of the oligonucleotide or randomly incorporated throughout the sequence. The choice of method depends on the degree of labeling required and whether changes will prevent theexpected interactions. Nucleic acid hybridization reactions can benefit from random label incorporation; protein interactions may require end-labelling.
Summary of Methods
Enzymatic
- TdT: ssDNA
- T4 RNA Ligase: ssDNA, RNA
- T4 PNK: ssDNA, RNA
- DNA Polymerase: DNA, RNA
- RNA Polymerase: RNA
Chemical
- Periodate: RNA
- EDC: DNA, RNA
- Nonspecific crosslinkers: DNA, RNA
Detection methods are biotin-based, chemiluminescent, fluorescent, radioactive, or the combination of several techniques. Tests may include nucleic acid tests for pathogen detection and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for specific DNA sequences in chromosomes.
Invitrogen™ Qubit™ RNA High Sensitivity (HS), Broad Range (BR), and Extended Range (XR) Assay Kits
Kits enable quick and sensitive detection of low and high abundance RNA, and can distinguish between RNA and DNA, protein, and free nucleotides.
Invitrogen™ Qubit™ 1X dsDNA High Sensitivity (HS) and Broad Range (BR) Assay Kits
Highly selective for dsDNA over RNA, the Qubit 1X dsDNA HS and BR Assay Kits offer easy-to-use formulations for the accurate quantitation of dsDNA in 100 and 500 assay formats. Lambda Standards provide sufficient material for up to 500 samples.
Invitrogen™ Qubit™ dsDNA Quantification Assay Kits
Achieve accurate and precise quantification of double-stranded DNA with Qubit dsDNA HS and BR Assay Kits. These dsDNA quantification kits enable quick and selective detection of low and high abundance DNA samples, and can distinguish dsDNA from ssDNA, RNA, protein, and free nucleotides.
Invitrogen™ Quant-iT™ RNA Assay Kits and Quant-iT RNA HS Reagent
Achieve highly selective and accurate quantification of high-abundance RNA samples with the fluorescent Quant-iT RNA Reagent and Assay Kits. These kits are highly selective for RNA over double-stranded DNA, and provide sufficient material for at least 2000 assays in a 96-well microplate format.
Invitrogen™ Qubit™ RNA IQ Assay Kits
Obtain ready-to-use detection of RNA degradation information with the Qubit RNA integrity and quality (IQ) Assay Kit and Standards, which feature two unique dyes for binding large and/or highly structured RNA and small, degraded RNA. Together, these dyes enable detection of RNA quality and integrity.
Invitrogen™ Quant-iT™ 1X dsDNA Assay Kits, high sensitivity (HS) and broad range (BR)
For easy and accurate dsDNA quantitation, the Quant-iT 1X dsDNA HS and BR Assays enable up to 1,000 fluorescence-based assays in a 96-well microplate format.
Mirus Bio™ Label IT™ Nucleic Acid Labeling Kit, Cy3
Use the Label IT™ Cy3 Labeling Kit to efficiently and reproducibly attach marker molecules to DNA or RNA in a simple one-step reaction within minutes. Covalently attach labels without impacting hybridization performance.
Invitrogen™ Qubit and Quant-it Assay Kit Standards
Achieve precise quantitation of dsDNA or RNA samples with stand-alone Qubit nucleic acid standards.
Molecular Probes™ ULYSIS™ Alexa Fluor™ Nucleic Acid Labeling Kit
Achieve unparalleled precision and sensitivity in your fluorescence-based applications from FISH to real-time PCR. With a streamlined, non-enzymatic labeling process and a broad selection of vibrant dyes, ULYSIS kits ensure your nucleic acids are ready for any challenge.
Invitrogen™ Qubit™ ssDNA Assay Kit
Quantitate oligonucleotides or long ssDNA easily and quickly with the Qubit ssDNA Assay Kit, which works with the Qubit Fluorometer and other fluorometers or plate readers. Common contaminants such as salts, solvents, detergents, and protein are well tolerated with this assay.
Mirus Bio Label IT™ Plasmid Delivery Control, Cy™3
Label IT Plasmid Delivery Controls are fluorescently labeled plasmid ideal for in vitro and in vivo tracking.
Invitrogen™ Quant-iT™ dsDNA Assay Kits, high sensitivity (HS) and broad range (BR)
For highly selective quantitation of double-stranded DNA over RNA, the Quant-iT dsDNA Assay Kits, high sensitivity and broad range, produce fluorescence signals that are linear in the ranges of 0.2-100 ng and 2-1000 ng of DNA, respectively.
Invitrogen™ BioPrime™ DNA Labeling System
Specifically designed for use in the preparation of biotinylated probes
Cytiva Amersham™ ECL™ Direct Nucleic Acid Labeling/Detection System
Use for fast and easy detection of medium-to-high-target amounts. Cytiva Life Sciences™ Amersham™ ECL™ Direct Nucleic Acid Labeling/Detection System are based on the direct labeling of DNA or RNA probes with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in a simple 20 min chemical reaction