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Labeling DNA Probes

Labeling DNA Probes

DNA probes are fragments of DNA labeled with a reporter tag to enable their detection or purification. The resulting labeled DNA probes can then hybridize to target nucleic acid sequences through complementary base-pairing, and may be used to recover or identify these regions.
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...

In-situ Hybridization

In-situ Hybridization

In situ hybridization (ISH) is a technique used to detect and localize specific DNA or RNA molecules in cells, tissue, or tissue sections using a labeled probe. The technique was first used in 1969 for the investigation of nucleic acids. It is currently an essential tool in scientific research and clinical settings, especially for diagnostic purposes.
Types of probes and labels
A probe is a complementary strand of DNA or RNA that binds to corresponding nucleotide sequences in a cell. Many...

Southern Blot

Southern Blot

Agarose gel electrophoresis is very useful in separating DNA fragments by size. Running a DNA ladder containing fragments of the known length alongside the sample helps determine the approximate length of the sample DNA fragments. However, additional steps are needed to verify the sequence identity of the sample DNA fragments.
Denatured DNA fragments must be transferred onto a carrier membrane from the gel to make it accessible to a probe - a small ssDNA fragment complementary to the target DNA...

DNA Microarrays

DNA Microarrays

Microarrays are high-throughput and relatively inexpensive assays that can be automated to analyze large quantities of data at a time. They are used in genome-wide studies to compare gene or protein expression under two varied conditions, such as healthy and diseased states. Microarrays consist of glass or silica slides on which probe molecules are covalently attached through surface functionalization. Most commonly, the slides are prepared through the chemisorption of silanes to silica...

Nucleic acids

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Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes

Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes

Published on: November 1, 2019

Nucleic acid probes.

¹University of Washington Seattle, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Current Protocols in Cytometry

|September 5, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This unit details the physicochemical structures of nucleic acid probes, categorized by their binding mechanisms. Understanding these nuclear probe structures is essential for various molecular biology protocols.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Biochemistry
Chemical Biology

Background:

Nucleic acid probes are critical reagents in molecular biology.
Understanding their physicochemical properties is key to optimizing their use.
Existing classifications may not fully capture the diversity of probe-nucleic acid interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the physicochemical structures of commonly used nucleic acid probes.
To classify these probes into four distinct groups based on their nucleic acid binding modes.
To provide foundational knowledge for researchers utilizing nucleic acid probes.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing data on nucleic acid probe structures.
Classification of probes based on established principles of molecular interactions.
Analysis of physicochemical properties relevant to nucleic acid binding.

Main Results:

Identification and description of four major classes of nucleic acid probes.
Detailed explanation of the physicochemical basis for each probe's nucleic acid binding.
Highlighting the structural features that dictate probe specificity and affinity.

Conclusions:

The classification provides a framework for understanding nucleic acid probe behavior.
This knowledge is a prerequisite for selecting and optimizing probes in various applications.
Further research can build upon this classification to develop novel nucleic acid detection strategies.