MaximusSensi DNA Staining (Post-Staining)

The MaximusSensibility DNA Staining provides an easy 2-step method to stain the DNA band in DNA electrophoresis gels. This unique reagent ensures the DNA to be stained with a high sensitivity and good quality on the gel. MaximusSensibility DNA Staining is a next-generation DNA-binding dye with features ideal for use in quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and many other applications. We designed the dye by taking into consideration several essential dye properties relevant to PCR, including PCR inhibition, safety, and stability and fluorescence spectra of the dye. Ethidium bromide (EtBr), which presents sensitivity for detecting 1-5 ng double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in the agarose gel analysis, has been the most common dye used for nucleic acid gel staining. However, several drawbacks of EtBr have been understood, including that EtBr is a mutagen/carcinogen and presents a high risk of inducing cancer. Moreover, the ultraviolet (UV) light used to illuminate EtBr-DNA compounds probably results in skin or eye damage to the user if misconducted. It’s also noted that exposure to the UV light might cause chemical modifications of the DNA samples in the gel, such as the formation of TT dimmers, leading to challenges with the subsequent DNA manipulations. Reduced efficiency of transformation is observed by our scientists, after conducting ligation with the DNA samples isolated from the gel exposed to a longer period of UV illumination. As compared with EtBr, the MaximusSensibility DNA Staining shows a much higher sensitivity under the UV transillumination and is one of the most sensitive stains for detecting dsDNA in the agarose gel. In addition to the high sensitivity, the MaximusSensibility DNA Staining brings a more reliable and safer experience of use, since the stained gel can be visualized with the blue-light transilluminator, thus avoiding the risk of skin/eye damage as well as reducing the side effects of DNA modification caused by the UV light.