Detecting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been challenging due to the non-specific nature of conventional DNA probes like DAPI, Hoechst, or SYBR® Green, which primarily stain the nucleus. MitoDNA™ Green 530 overcomes this limitation with its high specificity for mtDNA, allowing researchers to selectively visualize and track mitochondrial dynamics in live cells. This cell-permeable dye offers a large Stokes Shift, providing a high signal-to-noise ratio ideal for multiplex imaging alongside other fluorescent probes.

mtDNA is a small, circular DNA found in the mitochondria of a cell, separate from the nuclear DNA. It encodes 37 genes essential for mitochondrial function, including those involved in ATP synthesis, enzyme production, and tRNA and rRNA synthesis. Mutations or disorders in mtDNA can lead to various health issues, including age-related hearing loss, diabetes, and failures of the brain, heart, and liver. Additionally, mtDNA mutations are linked to an increased risk of cancers, such as lymphomas, leukemias, and tumors in the breast, intestine, liver, and kidneys