GelGreenTM is a sensitive, stable and enviornmentally safe green fluorescent nucleic acid dye designed to stain either dsDNA, ssDNA or RNA in agarose gels. GelGreen is far more sensitive than SYBR Safe (Figure 1). Unlike SYBR dyes, which are known to be unstable, GelGreen is very stable, both hydrolytically and thermally. GelGreen has a UV absorption between 250 nm and 300 nm and a strong absorption peak centered around 500 nm (Figure 2). Thus, GelGreen is compatible with either a 254 nm UV transilluminator or a gel reader equipped with visible light excitation (such as a 488 nm laser-based gel scanner or a Dark Reader).
GelGreen can be used for either post gel staining or precast gel staining.
A series of safety tests have confirmed that GelGreenTM is noncytotoxic, nonmutagenic and nonhazardous at concentrations well above the working concentrations used in gel staining. As a result, GelGreen can be safely disposed of down the drain or in regular trash, providing convenience and reducing cost in waste disposal. For detailed test results, you may download a complete GelRed/GelGreen Safety Report here.