Octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride | 65603-19-2

Cell Membrane Labeling: Octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride is widely used as a fluorescent probe for labeling cell membranes due to its lipophilic properties. It integrates seamlessly into the lipid bilayer, allowing for the visualization of cell membrane structure and dynamics under a fluorescence microscope. This application is essential for studying cell morphology, membrane trafficking, and interactions between cells. Researchers utilize this dye to explore the effects of drugs or environmental factors on membrane integrity, contributing to advancements in cell biology and pharmacology. By providing clear and stable fluorescence, Octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride enables detailed observation of membrane-associated processes in live and fixed cells.

Membrane Potential Studies: Octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride is valuable for studying changes in membrane potential due to its sensitivity to voltage alterations. This application is crucial in neuroscience research, where it helps assess the electrical properties of neurons and other excitable cells. By tracking fluorescence intensity variations, researchers can monitor depolarization and repolarization events in real-time, gaining insights into neuronal signaling and communication. It is also used to evaluate the effects of various pharmacological agents on membrane potential, aiding in the development of treatments for neurological disorders.

Lipid Raft Analysis: This dye is instrumental in the analysis of lipid rafts, which are specialized microdomains within cell membranes involved in cellular signaling and protein sorting. Octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride’s integration into the lipid bilayer allows researchers to visualize and study the distribution and dynamics of these rafts. This application is crucial for understanding the role of lipid rafts in processes such as immune cell activation, pathogen entry, and cancer cell migration. Investigating lipid rafts with this dye provides valuable insights into the organization and function of membrane proteins in various cellular contexts.

Cellular Tracking and Imaging: Octadecyl Rhodamine B Chloride is also used for long-term cellular tracking and imaging due to its strong fluorescence and photostability. This application is particularly important in studies involving cell migration, differentiation, and interaction in complex biological systems. By labeling cells with this dye, researchers can monitor their movement and behavior over time in vivo, offering crucial data for research in developmental biology and cancer metastasis. It is also utilized in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to observe the integration and function of transplanted cells in host tissues.