TRITC

Tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate, commonly abbreviated as TRITC, is a fluorescent dye widely used in biological research. It is a derivative of rhodamine B, a well-established fluorescent compound. TRITC exhibits excitation and emission spectra that make it suitable for various microscopy and flow cytometry applications. Its fluorescence is typically observed in the green-yellow region of the visible spectrum.

The "isothiocyanate" functional group in TRITC allows it to readily conjugate with amine groups present in biomolecules, such as proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids. This chemical reactivity makes TRITC a valuable labeling agent. When attached to a molecule of interest, TRITC's fluorescence can be used to track the location, quantity, or interactions of that molecule within a biological system. TRITC is often employed in immunofluorescence techniques to visualize specific cellular structures or proteins.

While TRITC is a popular choice, its fluorescence can be susceptible to photobleaching, meaning its signal can degrade over time with prolonged exposure to excitation light. This is a common limitation for many fluorescent dyes. Despite this, TRITC remains a cost-effective and versatile fluorophore for numerous experimental setups. Its spectral properties are well-understood, and it is compatible with a range of filter sets commonly found on fluorescence microscopes.