Is Alexa Fluor 700 a tandem?

Is Alexa Fluor 700 a Tandem Dye?

No, Alexa Fluor 700 is not considered a tandem dye. Tandem dyes are fluorescent dyes that consist of two different fluorophores physically linked together, where one acts as the energy donor and the other as the acceptor. The donor absorbs light and transfers energy to the acceptor, which then emits fluorescence at a longer wavelength than the donor's emission. This process is known as Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET).

Alexa Fluor 700, on the other hand, is a single-molecule dye designed for superior photostability and brightness. It is part of the Alexa Fluor family of dyes, which are known for their high fluorescence quantum yield and minimal photobleaching. Alexa Fluor dyes are often used in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and other bioimaging applications due to their reliable and intense emission properties.

Therefore, while tandem dyes are useful for expanding the range of fluorescence detection, Alexa Fluor 700 achieves its high-performance characteristics through the intrinsic properties of the single dye molecule, rather than through a tandem configuration.