Nuclear Yellow (Hoechst S769121, trihydrochloride, trihydrate) - FAQs

DAPI and Hoechst dyes are quite similar to each other. Why would I choose one over the other?

DAPI is a very common blue-fluorescent dye for nuclear counterstaining and gives very bright labeling on nuclei in fixed and permeabilized cells and tissues. However, it is considered to be a semi-permeant to impermeant stain and provides inconsistent staining of live cells. Hoechst 33342 dye is cell-permeant and stains with the same binding mechanism and fluorescent color; it is preferred for live-cell imaging and is just as good as DAPI for fixed cell labeling.

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