*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Mike - Thanks for the alternative suggestion - I looked at your website and this stain was clearly effective used in some nuclear segmentation studies. But it is fair to say that it has higher cytoplasmic staining that ToPro3?  The images suggested that.  I realize its advantage is it works on both live and fixed cells. 

One real concern I have on ToPro3 is that it is sold as a DMSO stock. This requires a tad higher degree of care when you are talking about a DNA intercalating agent in this solvent. I believe the DRAQ5 stock is aqueous - still undoubtedly toxic but presumably latex gloves would be protective. Comment?

Thanks for your insight. I am a big fan of both the Molecular Probes family of labels and their incredible website with so much info. Tom

Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D
Professor of Biological Sciences
Director, Molecular Cytology Core
2 Tucker Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211-7400
573-882-4712 (office)
573-882-0123 (fax)
[log in to unmask]

http://www.biology.missouri.edu/faculty/phillips.html
http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/mcc/

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ignatius, Mike
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 2:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ToPro3 vs DRAQ5 Vendor Response

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Hi,

Another suggestion from Molecular Probes:  H10294, Nuclear Mask deep red stain.

Very work flow friendly, as it stains nuclei of live or fixed cells.  In addition it survives fixation and detergents.

Emits in the far red with 633 excitation.

Adherent cells won't divide much in it, though blood cells divide in it, and show no toxic effects.  To-Pro 3 won't stain live cells, it is for fixed cells.

Mike Ignatius

Molecular Probes

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of JOEL B. SHEFFIELD
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 4:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ToPro3 vs DRAQ5

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

We have used 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-aad) with some success.

Joel


On Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 4:07 PM, Alison North
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We use both - but the nice thing about DRAQ5 is that it can be used to
> stain living cells as well as fixed ones.  Of course, the cells won't divide
> in it, so you can't use it for long-term timelapse imaging, but it's still
> very useful for shorter timelapses.
>
> Best,
> Alison
>
>
> On 4/21/2011 3:51 PM, Phillips, Thomas E. wrote:
>
>> *****
>>
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> *****
>>
>> I need to buy a nuclear stain equivalent to DAPI that fluoresces in the
>> far red.  This is for our core facility where potential users might work
>> with mammalian tissues, plant, fungi and every other thing that has DNA in
>> it. I want a stock that people can try out and determine whether it works
>> for them. I would prefer only having one such dye and can't decide between
>> TOPRO3 and DRAQ5.  Any comments on which of these (or another alternative)
>> is the most versatile?
>>
>>
>> Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D
>> Professor of Biological Sciences
>> Director, Molecular Cytology Core
>> 2 Tucker Hall
>> University of Missouri
>> Columbia, MO 65211-7400
>> 573-882-4712 (office)
>> 573-882-0123 (fax)
>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> http://www.biology.missouri.edu/faculty/phillips.html
>> http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/mcc/
>>
>
> --
> Alison J. North, Ph.D.,
> Research Associate Professor and
> Senior Director of the Bio-Imaging Resource Center,
> The Rockefeller University,
> 1230 York Avenue,
> New York,
> NY 10065.
> Tel: office     ++ 212 327 7488
> Tel: lab        ++ 212 327 7486
> Fax:            ++ 212 327 7489
>



-- 


Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D
Department of Biology
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Voice: 215 204 8839
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL:  http://astro.temple.edu/~jbs