logo
AAT Bioquest

What are the advantages of fluorophore-labeled dextran?

Posted May 10, 2023


Answer

Fluorophore-labeled dextran possesses various advantages in biology. One advantage is its fluorescence itself, as these dextrans have specific fluorescent properties that are used in the imaging and observation of proteins, cells, and tissues. Another advantage is dextran’s size and molecular weight. The polymer can be synthesized in a wide range of molecular weights and sizes, and thus can be used for different applications. Dextrans are also stable molecules that can survive extreme conditions like pH extremes and high temperatures. Another advantage is that dextran is highly soluble in water, which makes it easy to use in many experiments that involve water. Lastly, dextran is biocompatible, and thus does not generate an immune response. This makes it very useful for diagnostic and biomedical research.   

Additional resources

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-Dextran Extravasation as a Measure of Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability

Cal-520®-Dextran Conjugate *MW 10,000*