GelRed dye for staining nucleic acids in agarose gel was used in the molecular biology laboratory

Authors

  • Oscar Arbizú Medina Professor UNAN-Managua/ Head of the Molecular Biology Laboratory "M. Elmer Cisneros in memoriam", Area of Knowledge of Health Sciences, UNAN-Managua https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5984-8298
  • Francisco Romero Oviedo Research Professor Laboratory of Molecular Biology "M. Elmer Cisneros in memoriam", Area of Knowledge of Health Sciences, UNAN-Managua https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6161-7539
  • Yosimar Narváez González Researcher Laboratory of Molecular Biology "M. Elmer Cisneros in memoriam", Area of Knowledge of Molecular Biology Health, UNAN-Managua https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8239-3885
  • Roshell Rizo Obregón Researcher Molecular Biology Laboratory "MA. Elmer Cisneros in memoriam", Polytechnic Institute of Health, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua, UNAN-Managua https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3843-1346

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5377/rtu.v13i38.19325

Keywords:

Bacterial DNA, electrophoresis, mutagenics, molecular biology

Abstract

Ethidium bromide (EtBr) is a fluorescent dye widely used for staining nucleic acids in agarose and polyacrylamide gels. However, EtBr has several drawbacks, such as its high toxicity and mutagenic capacity, which restricts its use and management. In this study, the use of GelRed®, an alternative dye developed by Biotium, which offers greater sensitivity, safety and stability than EtBr, was evaluated. The performance of both dyes was compared for the staining of DNA amplified by PCR, using the protocols of BCR-ABL, JACK2, ESBL, carbapenemases IMP, VIM, SPM, GIM, NDM, KPC, OXA, mcr-1/mcr-2 and mecca.
The results indicated that GelRed® can be used to visualize DNA with a fluorescence intensity equal to or greater than that of EtBr, without the need to modify the extraction, amplification and electrophoresis protocols. Furthermore, GelRed® did not interfere with restriction enzymes and PCR, and does not exhibit mutagenic or cytotoxic effects. It is concluded that GelRed® is a safe and sensitive option compared to EtBr for staining nucleic acids in agarose gels.

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References

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Published

28-11-2024

How to Cite

Arbizú Medina , O., Romero Oviedo, F., Narváez González, Y., & Rizo Obregón, R. (2024). GelRed dye for staining nucleic acids in agarose gel was used in the molecular biology laboratory. Revista Torreón Universitario, 13(38), 145–150. https://doi.org/10.5377/rtu.v13i38.19325

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Section

Sciences

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