DAP Red is a fluorescent dye designed to detect autophagic activity in live cells. Autophagy is the process of cellular degradation to get rid of dysfunctional proteins and damaged organelles. It plays an important role in cellular maintenance, aging, and the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease. During this process, autophagosomes are formed which encapsulates damaged cellular components. These autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to form autolysosomes, where degradation of components occurs.

DAP Red is a cell-permeable molecule. Owing to its structural properties, it integrates into autophagosomes during their formation. DAP Red emits red fluorescence, enabling clear visualization of autophagosome formation and autolysosome activity in living cells. It can be detected using standard fluorescence microscopy or quantified through flow cytometry, making it an excellent tool for both qualitative and quantitative autophagy analysis. DAP Red does not require transfection, making it easy to use and ideal for a wide variety of cell types, providing a simple yet effective way to monitor autophagy in real-time, offering valuable insights for basic research and drug screening.