Cyanine dyes are primarily used as fluorescent labels for biomolecules in various detection techniques.
Here's a breakdown of their applications:
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Labeling Biomolecules: Cyanine dyes are attached to proteins, antibodies, peptides, nucleic acid probes (DNA, RNA), and other biomolecules. This labeling allows researchers to visualize and track these molecules.
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Fluorescence Detection Techniques: Labeled biomolecules are then used in a variety of fluorescence-based assays, including:
- Fluorescence Microscopy: Visualizing cells and tissues with high resolution.
- Flow Cytometry: Analyzing cell populations based on their fluorescent properties.
- Microarrays: Detecting gene expression or protein binding events on a large scale.
- ELISAs (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays): Quantifying the amount of a specific protein in a sample.
- In vivo imaging: Tracking molecules within a living organism.
In essence, cyanine dyes act as tags that allow researchers to see and study biomolecules in a wide range of biological applications.
