Tracer dyes in agarose gels

[Axel P.N. Themmen]

 > Hello. For some time I've been using a ficoll based loading
 > solution for my agarose gels with both xylene cyanol and
 > bromphenol blue added as tracer dyes. Recently, I saw an
 > advertisement for a loading dye mix of three dyes used.
 > When I called the company which sells these, they would not
 > tell me what the dyes are. BUT, they told me that they are
 > NOT the two mentioned above...So, I ask if anyone knows of
 > any other dyes that can be used for this purpose? In particular
 > I'm wondering if anyone uses a dye that migrates faster than the
 > bromphenol blue front?
 >
 >
 > Paul N. Hengen
 > National Cancer Institute
 > Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center
 > Laboratory of Mathematical Biology
 > P.O. Box B
 > Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201 USA
 > voice: (301) 846-5581
 > FAX: (301) 846-5598
 > e-mail: pnh at ncifcrf.gov
 >

 Yes There is such a dye. It is Orange G (Sigma O 1625). We use it instead
 of the bromophenolblue and xylene cyanol in Ficoll based loading dye.
 Works as a charm.

 Axel P.N. Themmen
 themmen at endov.fgg.eur.nl