Centre for Flow Cytometry and Microscopy
PAGE
MENU

Alexa fluor dyes

Although secondary labeling can significantly enhance a fluorescent signal, a direct conjugate is preferred because it creates minimal background fluorescence and less nonspecific binding. The Alexa dyes are extremely bright and are more photostable than comparable dyes in many cases.

Here is a handy comparison chart:

Alexa dyeExcitation (nm)Emission (nm)Similar dyes
Alexa 350 346 442 AMCA
Alexa 405 402 421 Pacific Blue, Cascade Blue
Alexa 488 488 519 FITC, Rh123, Cy2
Alexa 555 555 565 TRITC, CY3, PE
Alexa 568 578 603 Liss Rhodamine
Alexa 594 590 617 Texas red, Cy3.5
Alexa 647 650 668 Cy5, APC
Alexa 660 663 690 Cy5.5, APC