Bio-Rad Laboratories technical note 5705A compares the sensitivity and protein-to-protein consistency of its Flamingo fluorescent gel stain to other fluorescent protein stains
Of the protein stains tested, it is demonstrated that Flamingo fluorescent gel stain results in the most intense fluorescent signal when scanned with a laser imager.
Flamingo stain is also shown to offer the lowest limit of detection and best linearity over the widest range of quantities with visible light laser scanning, and shows the best sensitivity with UV transillumination, provided that a relatively long exposure time is used.
Sypro Ruby, Flamingo, and Krypton stains all exhibit relatively low protein-to-protein staining variability, with the Flamingo stain showing the lowest average deviation.
Deep Purple total protein stain exhibits more variability.
Flamingo stain is primarily intended for scientists who image 1D and 2D protein gels with laser imagers such as Bio-Rad's PharosFX system.
If the concerns of the scientist choosing a stain are sensitivity, linearity, and protein-to-protein consistency, Flamingo stain is clearly demonstrated to be the preferred one.
Technical note 5705A is available either from a local Bio-Rad sales office or can be downloaded from the Bio-Rad website.
