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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Quantification of dsDNA using the Hitachi F-7000 Fluorescence Spectrophotometer and PicoGreen Dye
Published on: November 5, 2010
Quantifying DNA concentrations using fluorometry: a comparison of fluorophores
Kalpana Rengarajan1, Stphen M Cristol, Milan Mehta
1Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Abstract:
Detection of low concentrations of DNA is important in vision research because many animal models only provide scant samples of ocular tissue. Quantitative analysis of low concentrations of double stranded DNA is now feasible using fluorometry with newer fluorophores. This technique offers a rapid way to evaluate the DNA content of samples based on the measurement of fluorescence enhancement emitted by fluorophore-bound DNA and is more sensitive than absorption spectrometry. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of several different fluorophores for measuring DNA concentrations by fluorometry. Based on our studies, we conclude that SYBR Green I and PicoGreen are substantially more sensitive for quantifying DNA concentrations than ethidium bromide and Hoechst 33258.
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