Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.

Abstract: Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides dye compounds optimally excited at about 400 nm and have a Stokes shift of at least about 80 nm. These dyes find use in detection of analyte in a sample and the preparation of dye-conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention provides dye compounds optimally excited at about 400 nm and have a Stokes shift of at least about 80 nm. These dyes find use in detection of analyte in a sample and the preparation of dye-conjugates.

Abstract: Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.

Abstract: Chemical stain compounds containing a fluorophore and a reducible quenching unit are disclosed. The reducible quenching unit quenches the fluorophore while in its oxidized state. Upon reduction, the quenching properties of the quenching unit are diminished or eliminated. The chemical compounds can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of bacterial cells, monitoring the electron transport chain function of bacterial cells, monitoring the oxidation state of non-biological systems, and assaying the effectiveness of antibacterial or antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.

Abstract: Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.

Abstract: Chemical stain compounds containing a fluorophore and a reducible quenching unit are disclosed. The reducible quenching unit quenches the fluorophore while in its oxidized state. Upon reduction, the quenching properties of the quenching unit are diminished or eliminated. The chemical compounds can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of bacterial cells, monitoring the electron transport chain function of bacterial cells, monitoring the oxidation state of non-biological systems, and assaying the effectiveness of antibacterial or antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention describes a variety of substituted and unsubstituted carbazolylvinyl dyes and their use for detecting and quantifying poly(amino acids), including peptides, polypeptides and proteins. The labeled proteins or peptides are highly colored, but are also detected by their strong fluorescence enhancement. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophoretic gels, and on solid supports, including blots and dipsticks. The present method of staining is highly sensitive, extremely facile, and relatively non-selective and can be accomplished without the use of organic solvent additives.

Abstract: The quenching compounds of the invention are nitrogen-substituted xanthenes that are substituted by one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic quenching moieties. The quenching compounds of the invention exhibit little or no observable fluorescence and efficiently quench a broad spectrum of luminescent compounds. The chemically reactive quenching compounds possess utility for labeling a wide variety of substances, including biomolecules. These labeled substances are highly useful for a variety of energy-transfer assays and applications.

Abstract: The invention comprises cyanine dyes, in particular chemically reactive dyes, conjugates of reactive cyanine dyes, the non-covalent complexes of nucleic acids with the dyes and dye-conjugates of the invention, and a method of forming a nucleic acid complex with the dyes and dye-conjugates of the present invention. The dyes of the invention are useful for the preparation of dye-conjugates. The presence of a reactive group on the unsymmetrical cyanine dyes of the invention facilitates their covalent conjugation to a variety of substances, both biological and synthetic.

Abstract: The invention describes the preparation and use of fluorescent stains for nucleic acids derived from unsymmetrical cyanine dyes comprising a substituted benzazolium ring system linked by a methine bridge to a pyridinium or quinolinium ring system having at least one substituent on the pyridinium or quinolinium ring that contains a heteroatom. The presence of the heteroatom-containing substituent results in higher sensitivity to oligonucleotides and larger nucleic acid polymers in a wide range of cells and gels, and for use in analysis of cell structure, membrane integrity or function.

Abstract: The invention describes the preparation and use of fluorescent stains for nucleic acids derived from neutral unsymmetrical cyanine dyes comprising a substituted benzazolium ring system linked to a methine bridge to a pyridine or quinoline ring system. The fluorescence characteristics of the dyes when complexed with nucleic acids give the dyes utility for the detection of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids in cells, gels and solutions. The dyes have particular utility in the staining of reticulocytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to dimers of unsymmetrical cyanine dyes, typically dimers of benzthiazole or benzoxazole derivatives, that exhibit enhanced fluorescence on binding with DNA or RNA, The dimers generally have the formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, are alkyl groups having 1-6 carbons;X is O, S, or N--R.sup.3, where R.sup.3 is H or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbons;Z is O, S, or N--R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is H or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbons;n and s, which may be the same or different, =0, 1, or 2;Y is HC.dbd.CH; andp, m, q, and r=0 or 1, such that p+m=1 and q+r=1; andwhere -BRIDGE- has the general formula:--(CH.sub.2).sub..alpha. --[A.sup.1 --(CH.sub.2).sub..beta. --].sub.I [A.sup.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub..gamma. --].sub.II A.sup.3 --(CH.sub.2).sub..delta. --where .alpha., .beta., .gamma., and .delta., which may be the same or different, are integers greater than 1 and less than 5;I and II, which may be the same or different, =0 or 1; andA.sup.1, A.sup.2, and A.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of analyzing a sample thought to contain bacteria using an aqueous solution comprising one or more fluorescent dyes: a fluorescent dye of formula I, a fluorescent dye of formula II, a fluorescent dye of formula III, and a fluorescent dye of formula IV. Each of the dyes differ each from the other in their affinity for nucleic acids and in their spectral response to different types of bacteria in the sample. The first three dyes are nucleic acid stains and the fourth dye is a fluorescent reagent that binds selectively to cell surface components. The fluorescent dyes of formula I are highly membrane-permeant cyanine dye derivatives and label all bacteria, whether live or dead, whether Gram positive or Gram negative. The dyes of formula II label only live Gram positive bacteria and label all dead bacteria, whether Gram positive or negative. The dyes of formula II bind to nucleic acids preferentially with respect to the dyes of formula I.