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ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 Staining Solution *5 mM in DMSO/Superior Replacement to DRAQ7*
Product key features
- Superior Sensitivity: Delivers twice the fluorescence intensity of DRAQ7™ (ThermoFisher) for enhanced signal resolution and improved detection sensitivity.
- Selective Nuclear Staining: Stains non-viable and permeabilized cells with high specificity, enabling reliable viability assessment.
- High DNA Affinity: Rapid dsDNA intercalation ensures precise DNA quantification in fixed-cell cycle analysis.
- Broad Excitation & Emission: Excitable from 488–647 nm with peak emission at 697 nm, compatible with PerCP-Cy™5.5 and Cy5 filter sets.
- Multiplex Compatibility: UV-independent excitation allows integration with FITC and PE fluorophores without spectral overlap.
- Low Cytotoxicity: Supports long-term cell culture and endpoint assays with minimal impact on
Product description
ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 Staining Solution is a far-red fluorescent anthraquinone dye designed for selective nuclear staining of non-viable and permeabilized cells. Its membrane-impermeable properties prevent uptake by intact cells, making it an effective tool for the exclusion of non-viable cells in flow cytometry. ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 exhibits a high binding affinity for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), intercalating rapidly to facilitate accurate quantification of DNA content in fixed-cell cycle analysis. Notably, it provides twice the fluorescence intensity of DRAQ7™ (Thermo Fisher), enhancing sensitivity and signal resolution for improved detection in various analytical platforms. In fluorescence microscopy, it functions as a robust nuclear counterstain and a reliable viability indicator in endpoint assays, with low cytotoxicity that supports extended cell culture studies.
ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 exhibits a broad excitation range from 488 nm to 647 nm, with optimal excitation achieved using red laser lines. Upon binding to dsDNA, it emits at a peak wavelength of 697 nm, providing a high signal-to-noise ratio for precise detection. In flow cytometry, the dye can be efficiently detected using PerCP-Cy™ 5.5 or PerCP-iFluor® 710 filter sets when excited by a blue laser, while BP or LP filters optimized for Cy5 detection are recommended for red laser excitation. For fluorescence microscopy, the dye is optimally excited with yellow to red light sources and detected using far-red longpass filters such as 695LP, 715LP, or 780LP.
ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 does not require UV excitation, allowing compatibility with FITC and PE fluorophores without spectral compensation. However, due to its broad excitation spectrum and far-red emission, it is not recommended for use with other far-red fluorophores excited by blue-to-red light.
Example protocol
AT A GLANCE
Prepare cells in a growth medium.
Incubate cells with ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 Staining working solution at 37 °C for 15-30 minutes.
Analyze using a fluorescence microscope with a Cy5 filter set or a flow cytometer with an APC or APC-Cy7 filter set.
CELL PREPARATION
Plate cells overnight in a growth medium at a density of 10,000 to 40,000 cells per well in 90 μL for a 96-well plate or 2,500 to 10,000 cells per well in 20 μL for a 384-well plate.
Centrifuge cells from the culture medium to pellet, then resuspend in fresh culture medium.
Seed 50,000–100,000 cells/well in 90 µL for a 96-well poly-D-lysine plate or 10,000–25,000 cells/well in 20 µL for a 384-well poly-D-lysine plate.
Before the experiment, centrifuge the plate at 800 rpm for 2 minutes with the brake off.
Note: The optimal cell density should be determined individually for each cell line.
PREPARATION OF WORKING SOLUTION
Prepare a 2–10 µM ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 staining solution in PBS or a suitable buffer. The working solution is stable for 2 hours at room temperature.
Note: Unused ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 staining stock solution can be aliquoted and stored at ≤ -20°C for several months in tightly sealed tubes, protected from light. Avoid freeze-thaw cycles to maintain stability.
SAMPLE EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL
Treat the samples as desired, then remove the culture medium and wash the cells with DPBS or a preferred buffer.
Add 100 µL per well for a 96-well plate or 50 µL per well for a 384-well plate of ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 staining solution to the cell plate. Incubate at 37°C for 15–30 minutes, keeping the plate protected from light.
Note: The optimal ReadiUse™ DXAQ7 staining solution concentration depends on the application. Higher concentrations than the recommended working solution may be toxic to cells. Staining conditions should be adjusted based on cell type and probe permeability.
Remove the working solution from each well, then wash the cells three times with DPBS or a buffer of choice.
Observe the fluorescence signal using a fluorescence microscope with a Cy5 filter set or flow cytometry with an APC or APC-Cy7 channel.
References
Authors: Morelli, Moran and Cabezuelo Rodríguez, Marta and Queiroz, Karla
Journal: Scientific reports (2024): 5797
Authors: Jost, Tina and Schultz, Ann-Kristin and Frey, Benjamin and Vu, Jennifer and Fietkau, Rainer and Distel, Luitpold V and Hecht, Markus
Journal: Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) (2022): 100780
Authors: Zenić, Lucija and Polančec, Denis and Hudetz, Damir and Jeleč, Zeljko and Rod, Eduard and Vidović, Dinko and Starešinić, Mario and Sabalić, Srećko and Vrdoljak, Trpimir and Petrović, Tadija and Čukelj, Fabijan and Molnar, Vilim and Čemerin, Martin and Matišić, Vid and Brlek, Petar and Djukić Koroljević, Zrinka and Borić, Igor and Lauc, Gordan and Primorac, Dragan
Journal: Croatian medical journal (2022): 265-272
Authors: Vozaf, Jakub and Svoradová, Andrea and Baláži, Andrej and Vašíček, Jaromír and Olexiková, Lucia and Dujíčková, Linda and Makarevich, Alexander V and Jurčík, Rastislav and Ďúranová, Hana and Chrenek, Peter
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI (2022)
Authors: Tomasek, Toria and Ware, Lorraine B and Bastarache, Julie A and Meegan, Jamie E
Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (2021): 199-206
Safety data sheet