Abstract: New intercalating cyanine dyes are provided in which the benzothiazole portion of the cyanine dye has been modified to produce dyes with improved properties for labelling nucleic acids. The fluorescent cyanine dyes have a positively charged substituent attached to the positively charged nitrogen on the benzothiazole portion of the cyanine dye.

Abstract: New intercalating cyanine dyes are provided in which the benzothiazole portion of the cyanine dye has been modified to produce dyes with improved properties for labelling nucleic acids. These new intercalating cyanine dyes are cyclized fluorescent cyanine dyes represented by General Formula I ##STR1## where: n is 0, 1 or 2;Y may be either S or O;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may each independently be either hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylthio;R.sub.5 may be C.sub.1 -C.sub.50 alkyl, preferably substituted with one or more polar substituents which preferably includes one or more positively charged atoms, or a cyclized fluorescent cyanine dye of the present invention, i.e., where R.sub.5 is a linker between two cyclized fluorescent cyanine dyes;R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may each independently be either H and C.sub.1-10 alkyl, or may be taken together to form a 5 or 6 membered ring, most preferably a 6 membered aromatic ring, optionally substituted with C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.

Abstract: Long wavelength, narrow emission bandwidth fluorecein dyes are provided for detecting spacially overlapping target substances. The dyes comprise 4,7-dichlorofluoresceins, and particularly 2',4',5',7'-tetrachloro-4,7-dichloro-5- (and 6-) carboxyfluoresceins. Methods and kits for using the dyes in DNA analysis are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to iminium ion substituted cyanine dyes having a fluoresence absorbance of between about 500 and 900 nm, a reduced tendency to aggregate and enhanced photostability. The cyanine dyes of the present invention are represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;m is 0, 1, 2 or 3;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are taken together to form an aromatic ring or a fused polycyclic aromatic ring;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are taken together to form an aromatic ring or a fused polycyclic aromatic ring;R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently selected from the group consisting of (CH.sub.2).sub.p X where p is 1-18 and X is a functional group that reacts with amino, hydroxyl and sulfhydryl nucleophiles;R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl groups and where R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are taken together to form a five- or six- membered heterocyclic ring;R.sub.

Abstract: A spectrally resolvable set of rhodamine dyes are provided for use in the chain termination method of nucleic acid sequencing. A different rhodamine dye from the group consisting of tetramethylrhodamine, rhodamine X, rhodamine 6G, and rhodamine 110 is attached to the base of each of the dideoxynucleotides used in the sequencing method by way of an alkynylamino linker. Preferably, the labeled dideoxynucleotides are incorporated into the growing DNA chains by Taq DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Long wavelength, narrow emission bandwidth fluorecein dyes are provided for detecting spacially overlapping target substances. The dyes comprise 4,7-dichlorofluoresceins, and particularly 1',2',7',8'-dibenzo-4,7-dichlorofluoresceins. Methods of using the dyes in automated DNA sequencing are described.

Abstract: A chain-termination method of nucleic acid sequence determination is provided wherein nucleoside triphosphate precursors are replaced with their 1-thiotriphosphate analogs in the polymerization step. This substitution results in more uniform bands of electrophoretically separated DNA fragments which, in turn, results in more accurate base determination.

Abstract: Reticulocytes, RNA or DNA are stained with a dye for detection in a flow cytometer. The dye has the formula: ##STR1## Wherein X=O, S, se or C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ;R.sub.1 =alkyl having from 1-6 carbons;R.sub.2 =alkyl having from 1-6 carbons;R.sub.3 =fused benzene, alkyl (having 1-6 carbons), methoxy or is absent;R.sub.4 =alkyl having 1-6 carbons, methoxy or is absent; andn=zero or an integer from 1-6.

Abstract: A novel fluorescent dye, PUR-1, having the structural formula ##STR1## is disclosed that will preferentially stain nucleic acids.

Abstract: Reticulocytes, RNA or DNA are stained with a dye for detection in a flow cytometer. The dye has the formula: ##STR1## Wherein: X=O,S, Se, N -alkyl (having 1-6 carbons) or C (CH.sub.3).sub.n ; R.sub.1 =alkyl having from 1-6 carbons;R.sub.2 =alkyl having from 1-6 carbons;R.sub.3 =fused benzene, alkyl (having 1-6 carbons), methoxy or is absent;R.sub.4 =alkyl having 1-6 carbons, methoxy or is absent; andn=zero or an integer from 1-6.