Great Opal Fluorescence Detection During RNAscope

July 17, 2026

BlueskyReddit
State University of New York at Buffalo
Physiology and Biophysics
Postdoctoral Researcher

Overall

Quality of Results

Ease-of-Optimization

What do these ratings mean?
Write a Review
Questions/Comments

Company:

Quanterix

Product Name:

Opal 650 Reagent Pack

Catalog Number:

FP1496001KT

We use the Opal 650 fluorophore to visualize mRNA targets during RNA in situ hybridization (RNAscope) in mouse brain tissue.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

RNA in situ hybridization

Starting Material

15 μm fixed-frozen mouse brain sections

Tips

In our experiment, a 1:3000 dilution of the Opal 650 fluorophore provided the best signal quality with the RNAscope™ probe for Cnr1 in mouse brain tissue (dorsal striatum). Less concentrated dilutions resulted in a slightly oversaturated signal. Different dilutions should be tested to determine the optimal Opal 650 dilution for each specific tissue and probe combination.

Results Summary

The Opal 650 fluorophore was used during the RNAscope protocol and allowed us to visualize Cnr1 mRNA transcripts in fixed-frozen mouse brain tissue. In the image, red dots represent Cnr1 mRNA puncta. The image was acquired using a Leica SP8 confocal microscope equipped with PMT and HyD detectors and a 63× oil-immersion objective. The RNAscope Cnr1 probe generated a fluorescent signal detected in the red channel (the white light laser was tuned to 650 nm for excitation of Opal 650).

Image Gallery

Summary

The Good

Only a low concentration is required, making this approach cost-effective.

The Bad

Did not experience any negative effects with this reagent. It works as predicted.

The Bottom Line

Easy-to-use reagent that comes as a powder and needs to be reconstituted according to the instructions in the provided dimethyl sulfoxide. The reagent provided consistent and reliable results throughout RNAscope experiments. Highly recommended.

Join the discussion