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Test Product

Hoechst 33342 is a cell membrane-permeant fluorescent DNA stain with robust live-cell imaging compatibility, ideal for flow cytometry, side population assays, apoptosis detection, and more.

Product description

Hoechst 33342 is a fluorescent DNA stain widely acclaimed for its strong binding affinity to A–T-rich regions in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA. This dye surpasses many nuclear stains due to its additional ethyl substituent, which boosts membrane permeability. As a result, Hoechst 33342 seamlessly crosses the plasma membrane of live cells, making it an unrivaled tool in fields such as cell biology, immunology, neuroscience, and high-throughput drug discovery.

At AAT Bioquest, we are committed to delivering high-purity and easy-to-use Hoechst 33342 solutions, formulated for both live-cell and fixed-cell applications. Built on decades of fluorescence chemistry expertise, our brand guarantees:

  • Optimal brightness under UV or near-UV excitation
  • Low background noise for clean nuclear segmentation
  • High consistency across batches due to rigorous QC
  • Proven protocols that stand out in side-by-side comparisons

Why This Matters: Whether you need robust cell cycle analysis, reliable apoptosis detection, or advanced multi-channel imaging, Hoechst 33342 is the go-to nuclear stain—offering you the best in class for both routine staining and cutting-edge research.

More Details

Hoechst 33342 is part of the Hoechst dye family (which includes Hoechst 33258 and Hoechst 34580), originally developed by Hoechst AG. These bis-benzimides exhibit strong affinity for nuclear DNA; however, the unique chemical structure of Hoechst 33342 imparts superior cell permeability (10-fold greater than Hoechst 33258), ensuring efficient entry into live cells without permeabilization.

Since its introduction, Hoechst 33342 has been adopted in numerous research disciplines, from fundamental cell biology and immunology to advanced neuroscience and high-throughput drug discovery. Its compatibility with standard UV or near-UV laser lines (e.g., 355 nm, 405 nm) makes it exceptionally versatile in confocal fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry, super-resolution microscopy, high-content screening, and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Studies have also leveraged its preference for A–T–rich DNA in specialized experiments such as DNA conformational analysis and epigenetic mapping. 

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Example protocol

PREPARATION OF STOCK SOLUTIONS

Unless otherwise noted, all unused stock solutions should be divided into single-use aliquots and stored at -20 °C after preparation. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles

Paragraph content. Test Product.

Calculators

Common stock solution preparation

Table 1. Volume of water needed to reconstitute specific mass of Test Product to given concentration. Note that volume is only for preparing stock solution. Refer to sample experimental protocol for appropriate experimental/physiological buffers.

0.1 mg0.5 mg1 mg5 mg10 mg
1 mM1.786 mL8.929 mL17.857 mL89.286 mL178.571 mL
5 mM357.143 µL1.786 mL3.571 mL17.857 mL35.714 mL
10 mM178.571 µL892.857 µL1.786 mL8.929 mL17.857 mL

Molarity calculator

Enter any two values (mass, volume, concentration) to calculate the third.

Mass (Calculate)Molecular weightVolume (Calculate)Concentration (Calculate)Moles
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Page updated on January 18, 2025

Ordering information

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Catalog NumberZX001
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Physical properties

Molecular weight

56

Solvent

water

Storage, safety and handling

H-phraseH303, H313, H333
Hazard symbolXN
Intended useResearch Use Only (RUO)
R-phraseR20, R21, R22

Storage

Refrigerated (2-8 °C); Desiccated