DNA/RNA Probes

More and more researchers are using non-radioactive techniques for DNA, RNA, or Protein detection. Non-radioactive detection primarily is dependent on use of chemiluminescence catalyzed by HRP, AKP and other enzymes. The development of enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) increases greatly the sensitivity of detection. The sensitivity of chemiluminescence for Southern, Northern and Western Blotting is markedly higher than that using radioisotopes. An additional benefit is that obtaining images with chemiluminescence usually takes a few minutes, whereas obtaining autoradiographs with radioisotope-labeled molecules takes 16-48 hours.

A. Advantages for ECL-based detection:

High Sensitivity
Safer than using radioisotopes
Easy to handle
Very short time for obtaining results
Long life for Biotin-labeled probes

In preparation of DNA/RNA-based non-radioactive probes, biotin, DIG and fluorescein are most commonly used. Among these labeling molecules, biotin is most widely used because of its chemical stability, high affinity, fast binding time, small molecular weight and compact structure. The major technology developed by Viagene Biotech is high sensitivity non-radioactive detection based on HRP-induced chemiluminescence. We have provided services to our customers in life science research with non-radioactive detection kits since 2006. We have hundreds of premade biotin-labeled probes for EMSA and have extensive experience in custom synthesizing non-radioactive probes with either biotin or fluorescein labeling.

B. Biotin-labeled Probes, Ready for EMSA (Cat#, SIPR101-SIPR225)

For a list of available premade non-radioactive probes, click here.
List of available complete, ready to use EMSA kits, click here.

C. Custom Synthesis of Biotin- or IRFluo-labeled Probes (Cat# SIPR001-SIPR223)

Although Viagene Biotech carries hundreds of EMSA kits for detecting the activation of various transcription factors, researchers may still require probes that are not in our inventory. In this case, customers can contact us for their specific probe needs and we can search our data base. If newly synthesizing a probe is necessary, we charge our customers at 2/3-3/4 of the price charged by other companies.

For example, synthesis of 27bp double stranded biotin-labeled DNA probe, another company charges $0.40 for each base. Each oligonucleotide is $0.80. Double stranded complementary oligonucleotides of 27 bases each = 54 bases = $21. 60. Each single strand Biotin-labeling is $120 and the charge for labeling two oligonucleotides is $240. The charge for synthesizing this Biotin-labeled probe by this competing company is $261. 60

At Viagene, although we charge the same price of $0.40 for each base, we can custom make the biotin-labeled probe at a price that is 30% less than other companies charge. Furthermore, we will make the probe ready to be used for your EMSA. The extra preparation that we do includes: 1) preparation of the double-strand probe, 2) dot-blot determination of the labeling efficiency via chemiluminescence, 3) and providing the working diluents. Thus, our customers will receive the probes ready for performing EMSA.

D. Custom Synthesis of Biotin-labeled Probes for Southern, Northern Blotting or Situ hybridization

Viagene sells non-radioactive kits for Southern and Northern hybridization. These kits do not include probes, of course. Viagene also provides DNA/RNA Biotin labeling kits (PCR-, Random- or End-labeling) for making non-radioactive probes. Viagene offers customer service for preparation of Biotin-labeled probes at highly competitive prices. Please contact us for the price.