Cal-520®-Dextran Conjugate *MW 3,000*

Calcium measurement is critical for numerous biological investigations. Fluorescent probes that show spectral responses upon binding calcium have enabled researchers to investigate changes in intracellular free calcium concentrations by using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence microplate readers. Cells may be physically loaded with the cell-impermeant salt forms of these dextran-conjugated calcium indicators using patch pipette or microinjection. The fluorescence signal from these cells is measured using fluorescence microscopy. The dextran forms of our calcium indicators show a dramatic reduction in both leakage and compartmentalization compared to the AM ester forms. Among the fluorescent calcium indicator dextran conjugates, Cal-520 dextran conjugates might be the best choice due to their high fluorescence quantum yield and large fluorescence enhancement by calcium. Compared to Oregon Green BAPTA-1 dextran, Cal-520 dextran exhibits much lower background and much larger calcium-induced fluorescence enhancement.