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SCT109

Sigma-Aldrich

BioTracker 400 Blue Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye

Live cell imaging lipophilic carbocyanine membrane dye suitable for long-term fluorescent cell labeling and cell tracking studies.

Synonym(s):

Live cell imaging probe, Live cell membrane dye

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About This Item

UNSPSC Code:
12352207
NACRES:
NA.47
Pricing and availability is not currently available.

technique(s)

cell based assay: suitable

detection method

fluorometric

General description

Lipophilic carbocyanine dyes are widely used for labeling neurons in tissues by retrograde labeling, and to label membranes in a wide variety of cell types. The dyes are weakly fluorescent in aqueous phase, but become highly fluorescent in lipid bilayers. Staining is highly stable with low toxicity and very little dye transfer in between cells, making the dyes suitable for long-term cell labeling and tracking studies. When live cells are stained, the dyes label plasma membranes and also are taken up into endocytic compartments. Cells can be fixed either before or after staining, although permeabilization affects the staining pattern.

Unlike PKH dyes, BioTracker Cytoplasmic Membrane Dyes do not require a complicated hypoosmotic labeling protocol. They are ready-to-use dye delivery solutions that can be added directly to normal culture media to label suspended or adherent cells in culture.

Spectral Properties
Absorbance: 366nm
Emission: 441nm

Application

Live cell fluorescent imaging
Live cell imaging lipophilic carbocyanine membrane dye suitable for long-term fluorescent cell labeling and cell tracking studies.
Research Category
Cell Imaging
Research Sub Category
Live Cell Dye

Components

1. 1 vial of 250µL Cell Labeling Solution (CS224586)

2. 1 vial of 250µL Loading Buffer (CS224587)

Quality

Spectral Properties
Absorbance: 366nm
Emission: 441nm

Physical form

Liquid

Storage and Stability

Store BioTracker 400 Blue Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye at room temp. Protect From Light.
Note: Centrifuge vial briefly to collect contents at bottom of vial before opening.

Disclaimer

Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.

Storage Class Code

12 - Non Combustible Liquids

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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Questions

1–4 of 4 Questions  

  1. After the staining, I am planing to culture the cells about a week and do imaging. For how many days would the cells be stained? After the cell division, would the flouresence be approximately halved and would both cells be florescent?

    1 answer

    1. BioTracker™ Membrane Dyes are lipophilic carbocyanine dyes. Lipophilic carbocyanine dyes have been used to stain neuronal cells in culture for several weeks, and in vivo for up to a year. The dyes do not appreciably affect cell viability and do not readily transfer between cells with intact membranes, allowing cell migration and tracking studies in mixed populations. The stability of labeling may vary between cell types, depending on rates of membrane turnover or cell division. Please see the link below to review the product datasheet:
      https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/deepweb/assets/sigmaaldrich/product/documents/258/959/sct109ds.pdf

      Helpful?

  2. Hi, How necessary is placing the coverslip or chamber slide in a humidity chamber? I tried staining adherent cells in a glass bottom dish following the steps excluding the humidity chamber and was unable to get clear results.

    1 answer

    1. Placing the coverslip or chamber slide in a humidity chamber is necessary to help maintain a moist environment during the staining process. It helps to prevent the drying out of the cells and the staining medium, allowing for better diffusion and interaction between the labeling solution and the cells.

      Helpful?

  3. Does it stain bacterial membrane?

    1 answer

    1. This product is a lipophilic carbocyanine dye intended for use in plasma membranes and cells. The uptake is dependent on the lipid bilayer. It is not tested for the suitability of bacterial membrane, however given the make up of the bacterial cell wall it is unlikely.

      Helpful?

  4. Is this dye compatible to image live migrating HL60 cells?

    1 answer

    1. This product is suitable for live cell imaging. The HL60 cell line has not been specifically tested, however there is no reason to expect it will not work. While this stain is markely more photostable that DAPI and other similar dyes, the retention time has not been determined. The addition of verapimil is recommended to improve retention time. See the link below for the product data sheet. The protocol can be found on page 2.
      https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/deepweb/assets/sigmaaldrich/product/documents/258/959/sct109ds.pdf

      Helpful?

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