TAMRA-PEG4-acid | CAS 1909223-02-4

TAMRA-PEG4-acid is a TAMRA-based fluorescent dye bearing a PEG4 spacer and a terminal carboxylic acid, enabling convenient conjugation to amine- or hydrazide-bearing biomolecules and surfaces while improving aqueous handling and reducing steric constraints during labeling. The dye's red/orange emission makes it a common choice for fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-based assays where robust signal from a widely used visible fluorophore is required.

1. Protein And Antibody Labeling

TAMRA-PEG4-acid is frequently used by chemical biology and immunoassay laboratories to prepare fluorescently labeled proteins, antibodies, and antibody fragments for imaging and binding studies. The PEG4 spacer helps maintain dye accessibility and can reduce steric interference with antigen recognition or protein interactions, while the terminal carboxylic acid provides a practical handle for downstream coupling workflows (for example, via standard carbodiimide-mediated activation to form amide-linked conjugates). Researchers use the resulting TAMRA conjugates to track biomolecule localization, quantify binding in fluorescence assays, and generate labeled reagents for assay development and microscopy experiments.

2. Fluorescence Microscopy Tracing

TAMRA-PEG4-acid is well suited for cellular and biomaterials microscopy workflows where red/orange fluorescence is advantageous for multicolor experiments and background management. Investigators incorporate the dye into labeled targeting ligands, extracellular matrix components, or biomolecule probes to visualize distribution and uptake in fixed-cell imaging studies and in labeled material systems. The PEG4 tether improves dispersion in aqueous buffers and can help produce more reproducible staining patterns when the dye is conjugated to large biomolecular carriers, supporting consistent visualization of structures or binding events under standard fluorescence microscope configurations.

3. Flow Cytometry Staining Reagents

TAMRA-PEG4-acid is commonly used to generate flow cytometry staining reagents for labeling proteins and other biomolecule-binding reagents used in cell-surface or binding assays. Its carboxylic acid functionality supports conjugation strategies that yield stable fluorescent conjugates, and the TAMRA emission profile aligns with widely available cytometer laser and filter sets for red/orange channels. Flow cytometry users typically rely on TAMRA conjugates to quantify binding of labeled antibodies/ligands, monitor labeling intensity across populations, and support multicolor panels where a visible fluorophore distinct from common green channels is required.

4. Fluorescent Conjugate Standards

TAMRA-PEG4-acid is also used in reagent development and assay optimization as a building block to create fluorescent conjugate standards and calibration materials. Laboratories preparing fluorescence readouts for method development, instrument checks, or comparative labeling experiments often use TAMRA-based conjugates to establish consistent reference signals across batches. The PEG4 spacer and terminal acid facilitate reproducible conjugate construction to carrier scaffolds, enabling researchers to generate reference reagents that behave predictably in aqueous assay buffers and support routine fluorescence quantification workflows.