What is Alexa Fluor 647 equivalent to?
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Alexa Fluor 647 Equivalent
Alexa Fluor 647 is a fluorescent dye used extensively in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology for various applications such as microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescent in situ hybridization. It is part of a series of Alexa Fluor dyes developed by Molecular Probes, now owned by Thermo Fisher Scientific. Alexa Fluor 647 has spectral properties very similar to those of other far-red dyes and is often used as an alternative to these due to its superior photostability and brightness.
Equivalent Dyes to Alexa Fluor 647
- Cy5
- DyLight 649
- APC (Allophycocyanin)
Comparison Table of Alexa Fluor 647 to Other Dyes
| Dye Name | Excitation Max (nm) | Emission Max (nm) |
|---|---|---|
| Alexa Fluor 647 | 650 | 668 |
| Cy5 | 649 | 670 |
| DyLight 649 | 652 | 672 |
| APC | 650 | 660 |
Additional Information
Alexa Fluor 647 is chosen for its high fluorescence quantum yield and excellent photostability, which make it suitable for demanding applications such as single-molecule detection and super-resolution microscopy. Its absorption maximum is at 650 nm, and its emission maximum is at 668 nm, making it compatible with common laser lines and filter sets designed for the far-red region of the spectrum.
The dye's far-red emission makes it particularly useful for biological applications where autofluorescence can be an issue, as many biological specimens have lower autofluorescence at these longer wavelengths. This property allows for higher signal-to-background ratios.
Alexa Fluor 647 is equivalent to dyes such as Cy5, DyLight 649, and APC in terms of their spectral properties but is often preferred due to its enhanced performance characteristics. It is widely utilized in fluorescent labeling of proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids among other biomolecules.