Thermo Fisher Scientific Dextran, Tetramethylrhodamine, 10,000 MW, Neutral

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dextran, Tetramethylrhodamine, 10,000 MW, Neutral

Invitrogen™ Tetramethylrhodamine-labeled dextrans are hydrophilic polysaccharides commonly used in microscopy studies to monitor cell division, track live cell movement, and assess cytoplasmic hydrodynamic properties. These labeled dextrans are typically introduced into cells via microinjection.

Need a different emission spectrum or longer tracking? View other mammalian cell tracking products.

Dextran Specifications

High Manufacturing Standards of Molecular Probes™ Dextrans

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers over 50 fluorescent and biotinylated dextran conjugates across several molecular weight ranges. Dextrans are hydrophilic polysaccharides with moderate-to-high molecular weight, excellent water solubility, low toxicity, and minimal immunogenicity. Their poly-(α-D-1,6-glucose) linkages render them resistant to cleavage by endogenous glycosidases, ensuring biological inertness.

Molecular Probes™ fluorescent dextrans are typically brighter and more negatively charged than competing products. Rigorous purification methods remove unconjugated dye, and thin-layer chromatography assays confirm absence of low molecular weight contaminants.

A Wide Selection of Substituents and Molecular Weights

Dextrans are conjugated to biotin or various fluorophores, including seven Alexa Fluor™ dyes, and are available in molecular weights of 3,000; 10,000; 40,000; 70,000; 500,000; and 2,000,000 daltons.

Dextran Net Charge and Fixability

Succinimidyl coupling yields neutral or anionic dextrans. Rhodamine B, tetramethylrhodamine, and Texas Red™ dextrans are generally neutral. Proprietary procedures enable production of “polyanionic” dextrans with increased negative charge. Lysine-fixable versions are available for aldehyde-mediated fixation, allowing immunohistochemical and ultrastructural detection.

Key Applications Using Labeled Dextrans

• Neuronal tracing (anterograde and retrograde)
• Cell lineage tracing in live cells
• Neuroanatomical tracing
• Intercellular communication studies (e.g., gap junctions, wound healing, embryonic development)
• Vascular permeability and blood–brain barrier integrity analysis
• Endocytosis tracking
• Monitoring acidification (pH-sensitive conjugates)
• Studying cytoplasmic hydrodynamic properties

For Research Use Only. Not intended for any animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use.