Fast Blue

Fast blue is a fluorescent dye commonly used as a neuronal tracer and referred to as a hydrophilic retrograde tracer. Fast Blue can be used alone or with other types of fluorescent retrograde and anterograde tracer dyes. Other neuronal tracers such as True Blue, Evans Blue and Nuclear Yellow are commonly used in conjunction with Fast Blue.

Fast Blue is the most commonly used neuronal tracer due to longer luminescence, although its sensitivity depends on the survival time of the animal after the injection. In order to obtain brilliant fluorescent labeling, luminescence usually begins at day three, and strongest at days 5-9 post injection. Euthanasia occurs between 4-7 days post injection in most animals.

These dyes can be injected into laboratory animals at a concentration of 1.5-2.5% w/v in water. Common protocols recommend injecting 5-10 microliters of the 2.0% concentration into the desired area of the laboratory animal.

These protocols are offered as guides. Depending on the situation alternations may be needed due to the laboratory animal or research being done.

Excitation Wavelength: 365nm
Emission Wavelength: 420nm