DNA Labeling Services

Service Description

As the carrier of genetic information and the material basis of gene expression, DNA plays an extremely important role in the growth, development, aging, inheritance and mutation of organisms and other life processes. BOC Sciences has expertise in the field of nucleic acid labeling technology and provides comprehensive DNA labeling services to meet the needs of scientists and researchers.

What is DNA labeling?

DNA labeling refers to the covalently attaching detectable tags to DNA molecules in order to identify and track specific sequences in experimental analysis. Commonly used markers include fluorescent dyes, radioisotopes, or non-radioactive tags (such as biotin) that allow researchers to trace target DNA sequences during hybridization reactions or other molecular analyses.

Diagram of the ssDNA generation from biotinylated PCR product using streptavidin. (Marimuthu C., 2012)

DNA labeling technology

Chemical labeling methods

Chemical labeling involves the use of reagents that directly modify DNA molecules. The two main methods include:

EDC activates 5'phosphate: EDC (1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride) is used to promote the formation of covalent bonds between the phosphate groups of DNA and the amine groups on the labeled molecules. This method is suitable for large-scale labeling in high-throughput experiments.

Random labeling: The labeling of random locations on the DNA or RNA strand is achieved by incorporating labeled nucleotides into the reaction. This method is suitable for generating high specific activity probes, but it may affect the base pairing efficiency.

Enzymatic labeling methods

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT): TdT is a template-independent DNA polymerase capable of adding nucleotides to the 3' end of DNA molecules, suitable for labeling the end of DNA probes. It is commonly used in applications such as TUNEL detection.

T4 polynucleotide kinase (PNK): T4 PNK catalyzes the phosphorylation of the 5' end of DNA molecules, allowing incorporation of radioactive or non-radioactive labels. It is widely used in radiolabelling and quantitative phosphorylation.

DNA polymerase: Such as Taq, Klenow fragments, and T4 DNA polymerases, are used to amplify and label DNA. These enzymes are particularly suitable for incorporating labeled nucleotides into amplified products during PCR or other amplification processes.

Applications of labeling DNA

Nucleic acid hybridization

Nucleic acid hybridization uses a labeled probe to hybridize a target DNA sample to identify a specific gene or sequence by detecting the signal strength and location of the marker. Labeled DNA probes are key components in techniques such as Southern blot, Northern blot and DNA microarrays.

Real-time quantitative PCR

In real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), fluorescently labeled probes or dyes are used to monitor the DNA amplification process and report the generation of PCR products in real time to achieve quantitative analysis of specific sequences. This method is widely used in gene expression analysis, pathogen detection and gene copy number variation study.

Sequencing technology

Labeled DNA is crucial in next-generation sequencing technologies. By attaching fluorescent labels to different nucleotides, sequencers can accurately read DNA sequence information, significantly improving sequencing speed and accuracy. This technology is widely used in genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis and personalized medicine.

Live cell imaging

Fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes can be used for live cell imaging, entering cells and binding to specific RNA targets to help observe gene expression dynamics and intracellular molecular interactions. The technique is useful for studying gene regulation, disease mechanisms and cell biological processes.

Cancer detection and gene mutation analysis

Markers that target specific genetic mutations can be used to detect early cancers and other genetic diseases. This diagnostic method has important clinical application value because of its high sensitivity and specificity.

Affinity purification

Biotinized or otherwise labeled DNA probes are used to isolate specific DNA sequences from complex mixtures and are suitable for large-scale purification tasks in high-throughput workflows, such as sequencing or pre-cloning preparation.

DNA-protein interaction analysis

In experiments such as electrophoretic mobility analysis (EMSA) or chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), labeled DNA probes are used to study protein interactions with specific DNA regions, providing insights into gene regulation, DNA repair, and other cellular processes.

BOC Sciences DNA labeling services

As a professional life sciences service provider, BOC Sciences provides high-quality DNA labeling and conjugating services to scientific research institutions and biomedical companies around the world.

Fluorescent labeled DNA: By binding fluorescent dyes (such as fluorescein, rhodamine, or secolin) to DNA fragments, researchers can observe the presence and distribution of DNA under a fluorescent microscope. The advantages of fluorescent labeling are its high sensitivity and specificity, and its ability to perform real-time detection. However, the disadvantage is that the natural structure of DNA may be changed during the labeling process.

Isotopic labeled DNA: Radioactive isotopes (such as tritium, carbon-14 or phosphorus-32) are introduced into the DNA molecule to achieve labeling of DNA. Isotopic labeling can be used not only for quantitative DNA analysis, but also for studying DNA synthesis and metabolism processes. Because isotopes are radioactive, this method requires special laboratory equipment and safety measures, but its high sensitivity makes it widely used in research.

Biotin-labeled DNA: Detection can be achieved through specific interactions with recognition molecules such as antibodies or streptavidin. The advantage of chemical labeling lies in its versatility and stability, and it can be combined with multiple detection methods while avoiding the safety issues of radioactivity.

Enzyme labeled DNA: Mainly used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-labeled probes and other technologies. By coupling enzymes (such as HRP, AP, etc.) with DNA molecules, signals can be amplified through the catalytic reaction of the enzyme during the detection process, thereby improving detection sensitivity.

Antibody-DNA conjugating: DNA is labeled to antibodies for immunodetection and immunohistochemistry.

DNA-protein conjugating: Covalent binding of DNA to specific protein molecules is often used to study DNA-protein interactions, such as screening and functional analysis of DNA-binding proteins. In addition, DNA can also be chemically modified to bind to reporter proteins such as fluorescent proteins for detection and imaging.

DNA-oligonucleotide conjugating: Using the simple principle of base pairing, DNA can form a double-stranded structure with other oligonucleotides. This coupling form is widely used in hybridization detection, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology and DNA microarrays for gene expression analysis, genotyping, etc.

DNA-polysaccharide conjugating: BOC Sciences provides customized DNA-polysaccharide coupling services that are particularly suitable for carbohydrate recognition, glycosylation analysis, and the development of drug delivery systems.

DNA-lipid conjugating: Through lipid coupling, DNA can be integrated into liposomes for gene therapy and vaccine development. These liposome-DNA complexes can protect the stability of DNA in vivo. transportation and improve transfection efficiency. BOC Sciences 'DNA-lipid coupling services can support the design and optimization of carriers such as liposomes or solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs).

DNA-small molecule conjugating: DNA can be coupled to various small molecule drugs to enhance its use as a targeted therapeutic tool in nucleic acid aptamers. The DNA-small molecule compound coupling services provided by BOC Sciences can support research in cutting-edge areas such as drug screening, antibody-drug coupling (ADC), and precision medicine.

DNA-nanoparticle conjugating: Nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles and quantum dots can be coupled to DNA, creating a stable and efficient detection and imaging system. These nanoparticles can provide enhanced optical or electrical signals, providing advanced solutions for biosensing and nanomedicine.

Custom DNA labeling: BOC Sciences provides custom DNA labeling services for clients who require specific labeling protocols tailored to their research needs. Whether it's adding fluorescent tags, biotin, or radioactive isotopes to DNA probes, our expert team can assist with reagent selection and optimize labeling conditions for high efficiency.

Quality control and purification: Our DNA labeling services include thorough quality control measures to ensure the purity and accuracy of labeled DNA. After labeling, we perform comprehensive assessments to confirm that the labeling process has been successful and that the DNA is suitable for use in your experiments.

Labeling consultation and support: Our team of experienced biochemists offers expert consultation services to guide you in selecting the most suitable labeling method and reagents for your experiments. We provide personalized support to ensure that your DNA labeling meets your specific research goals.

Advantages of our DNA labeling services

Expertise and experience: With over 20 years of experience in molecular biology and biochemical research, our team at BOC Sciences possesses the deep technical knowledge necessary to handle even the most complex DNA labeling requirements. Our scientists stay abreast of the latest developments in the field to ensure that our labeling services incorporate the most advanced methodologies.

Customized solutions: We understand that each research project is unique, and we offer customized DNA labeling services to meet the specific needs of your experiments. Whether you need to label DNA for a specialized assay or require a high-volume, high-quality solution, we can tailor our services accordingly.

High-quality results: Our rigorous quality control processes ensure that all labeled DNA products meet the highest standards. We use advanced equipment and technologies to ensure consistency, accuracy, and high yield for every project.

Quality Services

Resources

Biotin Labelled DNA

Nucleic Acid Functionalized Gold Nanoparticle Probes

FAQ

1. What types of labels are commonly used in DNA labeling?

Common labels include fluorescent dyes (e.g., Alexa Fluor, Cy Dyes), biotin, radioactive isotopes (e.g., 32P), and enzymes (e.g., horseradish peroxidase).

2. Are the labeled DNA probes suitable for high-throughput applications?

Yes, we specialize in providing DNA probes that are optimized for high-throughput workflows, ensuring reproducibility and accuracy.

3. Do you provide DNA labeling for commercial research purposes?

Yes, our services are available for both academic and commercial research, and we work with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics companies.