SafeStar Nucleic Acid Stain

Thermo Scientific SafeStar Nucleic Acid Stain is an advanced DNA visualization agent designed for use in agarose or acrylamide gel electrophoresis. This highly sensitive stain employs blue-light excitation to detect DNA, offering a safer alternative to the traditionally used ethidium bromide and UV transillumination. Formulated with safety in mind, SafeStar Nucleic Acid Stain addresses the concerns associated with hazardous DNA staining agents.

Features include:

• Exhibits dual fluorescence excitation maxima at approximately 280 nm and 502 nm
• Demonstrates a single emission maximum at approximately 530 nm
• Formulated specifically to reduce mutagenicity compared to ethidium bromide
• Has undergone comprehensive toxicity testing to ensure improved safety profile for laboratory use
• Maintains high sensitivity; capable of detecting DNA band quantities as low as 3 ng
• Combines enhanced user safety with robust performance for nucleic acid visualization applications

Safer than ethidium bromide

SafeStar Nucleic Acid Stain has been specifically formulated and evaluated through a series of toxicity tests, demonstrating that it is less mutagenic and safer to handle than ethidium bromide. Independent laboratory results using the Ames test confirmed the reduced mutagenicity of SafeStar stain compared to ethidium bromide. Your exposure risk can be further minimized by using visible blue-light illumination with SafeStar stain instead of UV light. This is particularly beneficial during protocols involving extended exposure, such as excising bands from gels for downstream applications.

Ease of use

SafeStar Nucleic Acid Stain is supplied as a 10,000X concentrate and can be mixed directly into agarose gels for real-time staining during electrophoresis or used as a post-stain after nucleic acid separation.