Tag: loading dye

DNA Loading Dye

DNA sample is mixed with DNA loading dye (also called sample loading dye) prior to loading onto the wells of agarose gel for electrophoresis. DNA loading dyes contain a high-density reagent and tracking dyes. DNA loading dye makes the DNA sample heavier and coloured, thus helping the DNA sample to sink into the agarose wells without diffusing out and enabling us to monitor the loading process. In addition, tracking dyes in loading dye migrate as a diffuse band to the same direction as DNA which can be seen visually thus allowing us to monitor the progression of electrophoresis. However, tracking dyes sometimes interfere in the analysis of DNA bands by masking it.