Cyanine dyes

chemical compound

Cyanines, also referred to as tetramethylindo(di)-carbocyanines are a synthetic dye family belonging to the polymethine group. Although the name derives etymologically from terms for shades of blue, the cyanine family covers the electromagnetic spectrum from near IR to UV.

Merocyanines are a class of polymethine dyes which are clearly defined by set structural properties. Merocyanines belong to the group of dyes referred to as functional dyes, where their applications are not only determined by their colour, but also their valuable chemical properties.

chemical compound

DiOC6 (3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide) is a fluorescent dye used for the staining of a cell's endoplasmic reticulum, vesicle membranes and mitochondria. Binding to these structures occurs via the dye's hydrophilic groups. DiOC6 can be used to label living cells, however they are quickly damaged due to the dye's extreme phototoxicity, so cells stained with this dye can only be exposed to light for short periods of time. When exposed to blue light, the dye fluoresces green.

thumb|right|228px|Cultured embryonal carcinoma were stained with either DiI (red) or DiO (green). The image was captured by scanning confocal microscopy.