Alexa Fluor(R) 647 Annexin V for Detecting Dead Cells

May 08, 2023

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
CIV
Postdoctoral Researcher

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Company:

BioLegend

Product Name:

Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V

Catalog Number:

640911

Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V is a product from BioLegend that is designed for use in flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy applications. Annexin V is a protein that has high affinity for phosphatidylserine (PS), a phospholipid that is normally located on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in healthy cells. However, in apoptotic cells, PS is translocated to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, where it can be recognized by Annexin V.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

Detection of dead cells (apoptosis)

Starting Material

N/A

Tips

When using this product, it is important to optimize the staining conditions to obtain the best results. This can involve testing different concentrations of the Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V conjugate and varying the staining time and temperature.

Results Summary

By conjugating the highly fluorescent dye Alexa Fluor 647 to Annexin V, BioLegend has created a powerful tool for detecting apoptotic cells with high sensitivity and specificity. When added to a cell suspension, the Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V conjugate specifically binds to the exposed phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells. This allows apoptotic cells to be easily identified and separated from healthy cells using flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy.

DOI or PMID #

N/A

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Summary

The Good

Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V is a highly specific and sensitive tool for detecting apoptotic cells, which is essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms of biological processes and developing new therapies for associated diseases. Its high specificity and sensitivity make it an important tool for a wide range of research applications, including cancer biology, immunology, and neuroscience.

The Bad

The use of fluorescent dyes such as Alexa Fluor 647 requires specialized equipment, such as a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometer, which may also be expensive and require additional expertise to operate.

The Bottom Line

Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V from BioLegend is a highly specific and sensitive tool for detecting apoptotic cells, which is essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms of biological processes and developing new therapies for associated diseases. However, it is relatively expensive compared to other apoptosis detection reagents, which may limit its accessibility to researchers with limited budgets. Additionally, the use of fluorescent dyes such as Alexa Fluor 647 requires specialized equipment, which may also be expensive and require additional expertise to operate. Despite these potential limitations, Alexa Fluor 647 Annexin V is an important tool for a wide range of research applications and can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of cell death and disease.

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