SYBR Green

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Chemical Structure of SYBR Green I
Chemical Structure of SYBR Green I
Spectrogram of SYBR Green I
Spectrogram of SYBR Green I

SYBR Green I (SG) is an asymmetrical cyanine dye used as a nucleic acid stain in molecular biology. SYBR Green I binds to double-stranded DNA. The resulting DNA-dye-complex absorbs blue light (λmax = 488 nm) and emits green light (λmax = 522 nm). SYBR Green I is marketed as a replacement for the very strong mutagen ethidium bromide, as both safer to work with and free from the complex waste disposal issues of ethidium, although care should be taken with anything capable of binding DNA with high affinity.

Similar cyanine dyes:

  • SYBR Green II
  • SYBR Gold
  • YO (Oxazole Yellow)
  • TO (Thiazole Orange)
  • PG (PicoGreen)

[edit] Literature

Zipper, H. et al. (2004). Investigations on DNA intercalation and surface binding by SYBR Green I, its structure determination and methodological implications. Nucleic Acids Res. 32, e103. PMID 15249599 PDF