Invitrogen Alexa Fluor 488 dye is a bright, green-fluorescent dye with excitation ideally suited to the 488 nm laser line. For stable signal generation in imaging and flow cytometry, Alexa Fluor 488 dye is pH-insensitive over a wide molar range.
Probes with high fluorescence quantum yield and high photostability allow detection of low-abundance biological structures with great sensitivity. Alexa Fluor 488 dye molecules can be attached to proteins at high molar ratios without significant self-quenching, enabling brighter conjugates and more sensitive detection.
We offer Alexa Fluor 488 dye conjugated to a variety of antibodies, peptides, proteins, tracers, and amplification substrates optimized for cellular labeling and detection. In addition, reactive dye forms and protein labeling kits are available to allow you to generate your own antibody conjugates or probes.
Alexa Fluor 488 dye dashboard
 Initial brightness |
The brightest and most photostable green dye for sensitive detection in live or fixed cells; commonly used with Alexa Fluor 350, 594, and 647 dyes for multiplexing. It is used in stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM)—as an activator in nSTORM and a reporter in dSTORM. It is also used extensively to label conjugates for SIM, STED, and two-photon excitation (TPE) microscopy. | ||
 Photostability in buffer |
|||
 Photostability in antifade |
|||
 Performance in SRM |
| 488 | FITC | 490 | 525 | ||
 Laser line |
 Common filter set |
 Excitation max |
Alexa Fluor 488 products
We offer a broad range of Alexa Fluor 488 products including labeling kits, secondary antibodies, bioconjugates, and more:
- Super-resolution microscopy (SRM) applications
- Antibody labeling kits for direct detection
- Primary antibodies for direct detection
- Secondary antibodies for flexible labeling
- Streptavidin conjugates for signal amplification
- Tyramide labeling kits for ultimate sensitivity
- Phalloidin conjugates for actin staining
- Annexin V conjugates for apoptosis imaging
- Hydrazides for neuronal tracing
- Labeled nucleotides for hybridization probes
The actin cytoskeleton of this muntjack fibroblast was visualized using the green-fluorescent Alexa Fluor 488 Phalloidin, and the nucleus was stained with TO-PRO-3 reagent.
Alexa Fluor 488 reactive dyes
Select dye-labeling chemistries for conjugation with the following reactive groups:
| Amine | Thiol | Aldehyde, ketone, carboxylate, or phosphate | Click reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
Alexa Fluor 488 protein/antibody labeling kits
Select an optimized labeling kit for your target antibody or protein:
| Target protein | Kit | Cat. No. |
|---|---|---|
| Site-specific antibody labeling | ||
| <1–20 µg mouse IgG1 | Zenon Alexa Fluor 488 Mouse IgG1 Labeling Kit | Z25002 |
| <1–20 µg mouse IgG2a | Zenon Alexa Fluor 488 Mouse IgG2a Labeling Kit | Z25102 |
| <1–20 µg mouse IgG2b | Zenon Alexa Fluor 488 Mouse IgG2b Labeling Kit | Z25202 |
| <1–20 µg human IgG | Zenon Alexa Fluor 488 Human IgG Labeling Kit | Z25402 |
| <1–20 µg rabbit IgG | Zenon Alexa Fluor 488 Rabbit IgG Labeling Kit | Z25302 |
| Conventional antibody/protein labeling | ||
| 10–20 µg antibody | APEX Alexa Fluor 488 Antibody Labeling Kit | A10468 |
| 20–100 µg antibody/protein | Alexa Fluor 488 Microscale Antibody/Protein Labeling Kit | A30006 |
| 100 µg antibody/protein | Alexa Fluor 488 Antibody/Protein Labeling Kit | A20181 |
| 1 mg antibody/protein | Alexa Fluor 488 Antibody/Protein Labeling Kit | A10235 |
Alexa Fluor dye family
Illuminating research for over 15 years
Alexa Fluor dyes are among the most trusted fluorescent dyes available today. In addition to superior performance, you’ll get a technical support team experienced in problem-solving, >50,000 published references, application and experimental tips, and protocols to help with experimental planning. For an outstanding research experience, choose Alexa Fluor dyes.
- Learn more about the brightness of Alexa Fluor dyes
- Learn more about the photostability of Alexa Fluor dyes
- Read all about Alexa Fluor dyes in the Molecular Probes Handbook
Resources
Molecular Probes Handbook
The significantly revised 11th Edition is the most complete fluorescence labeling and detection reference available. The Molecular Probes Handbook can help you achieve the best experimental results for your fluorescence labeling and detection experiments. View the handbook online or order your own copy.
Antifade reagents
Antifade reagents suppress photobleaching and preserve the signals of your fluorescently labeled target molecules. They offer excellent compatibility with a multitude of dyes across the spectrum, making them especially valuable tools for multicolor applications. For added convenience, some formulations include the nuclear counterstain DAPI, eliminating the need for a separate counterstaining step.
See the performance of this dye in SlowFade Antifade reagents
See the performance of this dye in ProLong Antifade reagents
Cell stain tool
Stain your own cell by using our simulation tool to develop reproducible results with many of our signature fluorescent dyes. Develop your multiplexing strategy for antibody probes, reactive dyes, and counterstains to create your perfectly labeled fluorescent cell.
Fluorescence SpectraViewer
Plot and compare spectra and check the spectral compatibility for common fluorophores including all of the fluorescent probes from Thermo Fisher Scientific. The Fluorescence SpectraViewer tool is formatted for both microscope imaging and flow cytometry applications.
Not for resale. Super Bright Polymer Dyes are sold under license from Becton, Dickinson and Company.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
