Ethidium bromide

Ethidium bromide is a fluorescent dye that binds nucleic acids, especially by inserting between DNA base pairs. Its fluorescence increases when bound, making it useful for detecting DNA in laboratory gels.

DNA intercalation: The insertion of flat molecules between adjacent base pairs in a DNA double helix. Ethidium bromide becomes strongly fluorescent when it intercalates between DNA base pairs.
Agarose gel electrophoresis: A method that separates DNA or RNA fragments through an agarose matrix using an electric field. Ethidium bromide reveals nucleic-acid bands after electrophoresis.
Albert Levan: A Swedish geneticist whose work included studies of chromosomes and chemical effects on cell division. Levan’s work helped establish ethidium bromide as a tool for studying chromosomes and cell division.
Chemical mutagen: A chemical that can increase the frequency of mutations in genetic material. Ethidium bromide’s intercalation can interfere with DNA replication, so it is treated as a mutagenic hazard.
Fluorescence: Light emission by a substance after it absorbs light at a shorter wavelength. Binding to DNA increases ethidium bromide’s fluorescence, enabling bands to be seen.
Gel electrophoresis: A laboratory technique that separates charged molecules by their movement through a gel under an electric field. Ethidium bromide is used to visualize nucleic acids separated in gels.
DNA replication: The cellular process that copies DNA before cell division. Experiments using ethidium bromide helped investigate DNA replication and mitochondrial DNA.
Chemical safety: Practices and standards for reducing harm from exposure to hazardous substances. Handling and disposal procedures account for ethidium bromide’s potential genetic toxicity.
DNA: A molecule that stores hereditary information in most organisms, usually as a double-stranded helix. Its stacked base pairs provide the sites where ethidium bromide intercalates.
Ultraviolet lamp: A light source that emits ultraviolet radiation for applications including fluorescence excitation. Ultraviolet illumination excites ethidium bromide so stained bands emit visible light.

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