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Related Concept Videos

Labeling DNA Probes03:31

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...
Southern Blot02:57

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Specific Labeling of Mitochondrial Nucleoids for Time-lapse Structured Illumination Microscopy
07:53

Specific Labeling of Mitochondrial Nucleoids for Time-lapse Structured Illumination Microscopy

Published on: June 4, 2020

Labeling nuclear DNA with hoechst 33342.

Brad Chazotte

    Cold Spring Harbor Protocols
    |January 6, 2011
    PubMed
    Summary

    Hoechst 33342 is a fluorescent stain that labels nuclear DNA in live cells. This membrane-permeant dye binds to adenine-thymine-rich DNA regions, enhancing fluorescence for clear nuclear and chromosomal visualization.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Fluorescent stains are crucial for visualizing cell nuclei and chromosomes.
    • Hoechst 33342 offers advantages over other stains due to its membrane permeability.
    • Accurate nuclear and chromosomal staining is essential for cell cycle analysis and genetic studies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe a protocol for using Hoechst 33342 to label nuclear DNA.
    • To highlight the utility of Hoechst 33342 for live-cell imaging.
    • To detail the mechanism of Hoechst 33342 binding to DNA.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilizing Hoechst 33342, a DNA-binding fluorescent dye.
    • Staining nuclear DNA in cultured cells.
    • Leveraging the membrane permeability of Hoechst 33342 for live cell applications.

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    3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells
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    3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells

    Published on: January 25, 2020

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

    Specific Labeling of Mitochondrial Nucleoids for Time-lapse Structured Illumination Microscopy
    07:53

    Specific Labeling of Mitochondrial Nucleoids for Time-lapse Structured Illumination Microscopy

    Published on: June 4, 2020

    Robust 3D DNA FISH Using Directly Labeled Probes
    12:16

    Robust 3D DNA FISH Using Directly Labeled Probes

    Published on: August 15, 2013

    3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells
    11:25

    3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells

    Published on: January 25, 2020

    Main Results:

    • Hoechst 33342 effectively labels nuclear DNA in cultured cells.
    • The stain allows for clear visualization of the nucleus in interphase and chromosomes in mitotic cells.
    • Increased fluorescence is observed upon Hoechst 33342 binding to DNA.

    Conclusions:

    • Hoechst 33342 is a valuable tool for nuclear DNA labeling in live cells.
    • The protocol facilitates straightforward visualization of nuclear and chromosomal structures.
    • Its membrane permeability and specific DNA binding enhance its applicability in cell biology research.