If I increase the final concentration of my SYPRO Orange or SYPRO Red staining solution above 1X, can I increase the signal of my stained proteins?
No. Dye concentrations higher than 1X do not give better detection. Instead, background fluorescence increases and, as the dye concentration increases, the dye becomes self-quenching and the signal actually decreases.
Can I dry my SYPRO Ruby, SYPRO Orange, or SYPRO Red stained gels?
Gels stained with SYPRO dyes can be dried between sheets of cellophane, although there is sometimes a slight decrease in sensitivity. If the gels are dried onto paper, the light will scatter and the sensitivity will decrease. Other plastics are not recommended, as the plastic typically used is not transparent to UV light.