Fast, gentle, and highly specific glycoprotein labeling compatible with downstream immunofluorescence, enabled by next-generation aminooxy chemistry.
Fremont, CA — January 1, 2026 — Biotium, a leading innovator in fluorescent dyes and life science reagents, announces the launch of GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for rapid, selective, and covalent labeling of cell surface glycoproteins. Unlike conventional aminooxy reagents that are slow to react and require harsh buffers, additional catalysts, or high label concentrations, GlycoLiner™ Kits utilize a simpler and more gentle self-catalyzing aminooxy chemistry for efficient labeling at neutral pH.
Surface labeling can be completed in ~20 minutes at room temperature or 4°C, supporting workflows that require low-temperature conditions to prevent protein internalization. Labels include biotin or a selection of five bright fluorescent dyes.
GlycoLiner™ labeling is covalent and compatible with common fixation and permeabilization protocols or protein extraction for capture of biotinylated glycoproteins, enabling downstream immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, flow cytometry, or biochemical analysis. GlycoLiner™ also produces noticeably reduced intracellular staining in dead cells, enabling clearer visualization of cell boundaries compared to other covalent cell surface stains that can strongly label dead cell cytoplasm.
“Biotium has launched an extensive selection of unique membrane-labeling probes that support different workflows. We are excited to provide yet another option that offers highly selective imaging of live cell surface glycoproteins that is also compatible with fixation. ” said Lori Roberts, PhD, Director of Bioscience.
Live HeLa cells labeled with GlycoLiner™ Reactive Biotin detected with CF®488A streptavidin, or GlycoLiner™ Reactive Dyes, imaged by confocal microscopy using a 40X objective.
Key Features
Fast, simple, and gentle: Labels cell surface glycoproteins for imaging or protein analysis
Highly selective live-cell surface labeling: Lower dead-cell background than other covalent stains
Compatible with fixation, permeabilization, and cell lysis: Ideal for downstream imaging or analysis
Novel self-catalyzing reaction: Efficient labeling at neutral pH without a catalyst
Versatile labeling options: Choose from 5 fluorescent dyes from blue to near-IR, or biotin
Efficient workflow: Complete in ~20 minutes
GlycoLiner™ expands Biotium’s portfolio of innovative cell staining technologies, offering researchers a powerful new tool for cell surface biology research with clarity and precision. Learn more about Biotium’s expanding catalog of unique membrane and cell surface stains, including options for staining fixed cells, or long-term imaging in live cells.
Biotium’s new TyraMax™ Amplification Dyes and Kits are available with the widest selection of colors for spatial analysis.
Fremont, CA — November 14, 2025 — Biotium, a leading innovator in life science reagents, is excited to introduce TyraMax™ Amplification Dyes and Kits. Designed for superior brightness, photostability, and stability in amplification buffer compared to competitor reagents, TyraMax™ dyes deliver the best performance in tyramide signal amplification (TSA) for spatial biology and multiplex fluorescence imaging.
The TyraMax™ line offers the widest selection of dye colors on the market, with unique options spanning from blue to near-infrared for unmatched multiplexing flexibility and spectral panel design. All TyraMax™ dyes, including near-IR dyes, are chemically stable in amplification buffer for at least 24 hours. This makes them ideal for automated staining workflows in spatial biology platforms with more resistance to oxidation unlike other TSA dyes. Compared to conventional immunofluorescence, TyraMax™ Dyes provide up to 100-fold higher detection sensitivity when used with TSA while maintaining sharp, photostable signals for multiplex imaging workflows like cyclic immunofluorescence (CycIF).
“Advances in spatial analysis are expanding our understanding of complex biology, yet many methods still depend on underperforming traditional probes. Our next-generation TyraMax™ dyes complement these innovations with improved performance and panel flexibility for researchers.” -Lori Roberts, PhD, Director of Bioscience.
Signal Stability You Can Count On
TyraMax™ 740/770 offers excellent brightness, photostability, and working solution stability, making it ideal for automated workflows. PFA-fixed HeLa cells stained with WGA-HRP were detected using TyraMax™ 740/770 or Aluora™ 750 and imaged in PBS on an Evident FV4000 confocal microscope (40X oil, 730 nm laser, Alexa Fluor® 700 channel). For photostability, fluorescence was recorded every second under continuous 10% laser illumination and normalized to the initial intensity. For stability testing, OD-matched dye solutions in Tyramide Amplification Buffer Plus (0.0015% H₂O₂) were monitored by absorbance over 24 hours at room temperature. TyraMax™ 740/770 remained stable, while Aluora™ 750 degraded almost completely.
Key Features:
Largest selection of tyramide dye colors available, from blue to near-IR
Stable in amplification buffer for at least 24 hours, including near-IR dyes
Brighter and more photostable than competitor TSA dyes
Available as standalone dyes, trial sizes, or multiplex dye sets
TyraMax™ Dyes outperform leading competitors such as Thermo Fisher’s Aluora® Spatial Dyes and Opal® Polaris from Akoya Biosciences in brightness and stability at a more accessible price point.
Biotium’s TyraMax™ line empowers researchers with the confidence to build and optimize complex panels for spatial omics, tissue mapping, and other cutting-edge imaging applications. TyraMax™ Dyes expand Biotium’s innovative line of tools for Tyramide Signal Amplification, and are available through Biotium and authorized distributors worldwide.
Aluora and Alexa Fluor are registered trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific; Opal is a registered trademark of Akoya Biosciences.
Biotium’s New SYT1, VGLUT1, and GFAP Recombinant Alpaca SdAb conjugates offer exceptional performance for STORM imaging with CF® Dyes
Fremont, CA — July 7, 2025 — Biotium, a leading innovator in life science reagents, is proud to support the advancement of super-resolution imaging with the release of their MiniMab™ single-domain antibody (SdAb) series. The MiniMab™ SdAb series, like Nanobodies®, are high-affinity recombinant alpaca VHHs against Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Synaptotagmin 1 (SYT1) and Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 1 (VGLUT1).
The MiniMab™ SdAbs are expertly engineered for optimal conjugate performance with a selection of best-in-class CF® Dyes for stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM). The antibodies are also available conjugated to Biotium’s photostable near-infrared CF®740 dye. Unlike conventional antibodies, MiniMab™ SdABs offer:
Deeper tissue penetration for better target accessibility
Higher solubility and stability for robust performance
Faster staining and superior signal clarity
Smaller conjugates for reduced localization error in super-resolution imaging
Conjugated to Biotium’s best-in-class CF® Dyes for STORM
Also available with Biotium’s new photostable CF®740 near-IR dye
These features make MiniMab™ reagents a powerful solution for researchers performing immunofluorescence microscopy on both conventional and super-resolution imaging platforms.
PFA-fixed rat brain cryosection stained with MiniMab™ GFAP SdAb (VHH) CF®568 conjugate (orange) and NucSpot® 680/700 Nuclear Stain (magenta). Scale bar: 20 um.
MiniMab™ SdAbs are available conjugated to CF® Dyes for unmatched resolution and signal intensity in synaptic imaging.
GFAP (SdAb2409.GFAP): Targets glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)—a hallmark astrocyte marker in neural tissue. This SdAb enables robust visualization of GFAP isoforms, especially the alpha variant, and is optimized for clarity in astrocytic filament networks. Its high specificity makes it ideal for studying glial cell development, tumor biology, and various CNS disorders. This VHH reacts with human, mouse, and rat GFAP.
VGLUT1 (SdAb2412.VGLUT1): Targets the vesicular glutamate transporter 1, enabling precise visualization of glutamatergic synapses. This SdAb recognizes the cytoplasmic region of rat, mouse, and is expected to react with human VGLUT1 due to sequence homology.
SYT1 (SdAb2501.SYT1): Binds specifically to Synaptotagmin 1, a calcium-sensing protein essential for synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release. The SdAb targets the cytoplasmic domain of SYT1 in rats and mice and is expected to cross-react with human SYT1 due to sequence homology.
Biotium also offers a wide selection of immunofluorescence reagents designed to complement the MiniMab™ series, including:
Biotium is continuing to grow the MiniMab™ SdAb product line to empower researchers with high-performance probes targeting critical cellular structures for neuroscience and other research areas. More MiniMab™ conjugates are currently in development, aimed at offering an expanded toolkit for next-generation imaging.
Nanobody® is a registered trademark of Ablynx, a Sanofi company.
The new Glo-Plate™ White Photoactivation Device is a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for developing DNA gels stained with DNAzure® Blue Nucleic Acid Gel Stain.
Fremont, CA — June 16, 2025 — Biotium, a leading provider of innovative fluorescent technologies for life science research, announces the release of the Glo-Plate™ White Photoactivation Device. This is a compact, LED-powered light box designed to develop DNA gels stained with DNAzure® Blue Nucleic Acid Gel Stain.
Specifically created to empower educational labs and academic environments, the Glo-Plate™ White offers a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to expensive DNA gel imaging systems or hazardous UV light. The device delivers even, high-intensity white LED illumination across its panel, optimized for activating the blue dye precipitation in DNAzure®-stained DNA gels.
DNAzure® is Biotium’s revolutionary non-fluorescent stain that forms visible blue DNA bands under bright light, allowing for direct visualization with the naked eye and enabling precise gel excision without imaging equipment.
Bright, uniform illumination for developing gels stained with DNAzure® Blue Nucleic Acid Gel Stain
Eliminates UV light hazards – DNAzure® allows direct visualization of blue DNA bands without UV light
Compact, lightweight design ideal for shared lab benches
Two-year warranty included
Glo-Plate™ White Photoactivation Device
1 kb DNA ladder loaded on a 1% agarose gel in two-fold dilutions. The gel was stained with DNAzure® Blue Nucleic Acid Gel Stain.
By eliminating UV exposure and costly gel documentation systems, Biotium’s DNAzure® and Glo-Plate™ White combination empowers educators and researchers to perform DNA gel analysis using a simple, low-cost, and effective setup.
The Glo-Plate™ White Photoactivation Device is now available for purchase. To celebrate its launch, the device will be available at a 40% introductory discount for a limited time when ordering directly from Biotium.com.For more information on this innovative product and to explore the benefits of our safer and more sensitive DNA gel stains and imaging solutions, visit our Nucleic Acid Gel Stains page.
New ExoBrite™ Antibody Cocktails target the most widely used EV markers with greater flexibility and seamless integration.
June 6th, 2025 - Fremont, CA - Biotium, a leader in advanced fluorescent reagents for life science research, announces the launch of its ExoBrite™ CD9/CD63/CD81 Antibody Cocktails, designed for rapid, reliable phenotyping or high-coverage staining of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by flow cytometry. Offered in single-color or 3-color options, both antibody mixtures offer unmatched brightness and signal-to-noise, streamlining multi-marker EV analysis without the need for tedious optimization.
The ExoBrite™ CD9/CD63/CD81 cocktails target the three most widely used EV markers—CD9, CD63, and CD81—using fluorophore-conjugated antibodies that deliver the same high performance as Biotium’s individual ExoBrite™ Flow Antibody Conjugates. The 3-color option is designed for phenotyping and is offered in two distinct spectral combinations— blue/green/far-red and green/orange/far-red. The single-color option is designed for high-coverage EV staining and is offered in green, orange, or far-red. Both options allow for flexibility in panel design and seamless integration into existing flow cytometry workflows.
SEC-purified HEK 293-derived EVs were stained with ExoBrite™ CD9/CD63/CD81 3-Color Antibody Cocktail (Blue/Green/Far-Red) and clear staining was seen in all 3 channels (top row). The same antibody cocktail was run in PBS, and very few aggregates are seen (bottom row). Staining was detected in the V450 (Pacific Blue), B525 (FITC), and R660 (APC) channels.
Key Features of both Single-Color and 3-Color ExoBrite™ CD9/CD63/CD81 Antibody Cocktails:
Single-color cocktail designed for high-coverage EV staining
3-color cocktail designed for phenotyping analysis
Each antibody optimized for bright, efficient EV staining
Low-aggregation formulation ensures high signal-to-noise
Cost-efficient 3-in-1 mixture saves time and reagents
Compatible with multi-target panels and general EV surface stains
“ExoBrite™ tetraspanin antibody conjugates are popular tools for EV labeling for flow cytometry, and we know many of our customers combine them and stain all three tetraspanins simultaneously, says Dr. Alexis Madrid, head of Biotium’s EV product development group. “This inspired us to create optimized tetraspanin antibody cocktails to make it even easier for our customers to stain EVs with their preferred workflow.”
Unlike conventional antibodies that may not be validated for EV detection, ExoBrite™ Flow Antibodies and cocktails are tested specifically on isolated EVs, ensuring reliable tetraspanin profiling. A proprietary formulation reduces antibody aggregation and maximizes staining accuracy.
New Steady-ATP™ HTS Viability Assay Kit offers exceptional sensitivity for measuring cell viability in a convenient single-step assay mix.
FREMONT, CA, March 21, 2025 — Biotium, a leading provider of innovative fluorescent reagents and kits for life science research, proudly announces the release of the Steady-ATP™ HTS Viability Assay Kit, an improved alternative to Biotium’s ATP-Glo™ Bioluminometric Cell Viability Assay for assessing cell proliferation or cytotoxic potential of compounds. The Steady-ATP™ HTS Viability Assay Kit is a luciferase-based ATP cell viability assay with high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and long-lasting signal for high-throughput luminescence detection in microplates.
The Steady-ATP™ HTS Viability Assay Kit is designed for precise and sensitive assessment of cell viability through ATP quantification, a key indicator of cellular metabolic activity. This assay leverages an engineered Chemostable Luciferase with enhanced chemostability and thermostability, as well as an optimized lysis/assay buffer system to deliver a stable and long-lasting luminescent signal. Boasting exceptional sensitivity capable of detecting as few as 16 cells per well in a 384-well plate, the assay also offers researchers a wide dynamic range and excellent linearity over 3-4 orders of magnitude.
Key Features of the Steady-ATP™ HTS Viability Assay Kit:
Exceptional Sensitivity: Detection limit as few as 16 cells per well.
Wide Dynamic Range: Linear over 3-4 orders of magnitude.
Stable Signal: Half-life of over 5 hours, ideal for HTS platforms.
Cost-Effective: Comparable performance to leading assays at a lower cost.
The detection limit of Steady-ATP™ HTS Viability Assay Kit is as few as 16 cells/well in a 384-well plate format. Serial dilutions of Jurkat cells were tested in a black solid 384-well plate with 50 uL total assay volume per well and 30-minute incubation time. Luminescence signal was read on a BMG CLARIOstar® plate reader. Values represent the mean ± S.D. of four replicates.
The Steady-ATP™ assay builds upon Biotium’s legacy of excellence in luciferase assays, offering researchers a reliable solution for assessing cell proliferation and cytotoxicity across diverse experimental conditions. It is compatible with high-throughput screening platforms, facilitating efficient and scalable testing protocols.
These optimized versions of Biotium’s chemically modified, antibody-free hot-start Taq offer unmatched activation speed and performance for modern workflows, including fast-cycling qPCR, proximity extension assays (PEA), and NGS-based high-throughput PEA for protein detection. While Cheetah™ Taq has been a reliable choice for reducing non-specific amplification in PCR, these newly tailored formulations bring greater flexibility and targeted performance to meet the evolving needs of researchers and suppliers of high-throughput commercial assays.
Cheetah™ FLEX HotStart Taq: Fast-Cycling & PEA Versatility
Cheetah™ FLEX is engineered for speed and adaptability across a range of applications. With a rapid 2-minute activation at 95°C, FLEX delivers up to 10x faster activation than AmpliTaq Gold® or HotStartTaq®, with none of the drawbacks of antibody-based hot-start enzymes. The antibody-free formulation eliminates animal DNA contamination and provides enhanced long-term stability. Cheetah™ FLEX is validated for fast-cycling PCR and qPCR-based PEA, making it a go-to choice for both routine and advanced workflows. After heat activation, Cheetah™ Taq has the same functional properties and fidelity as native Taq polymerase.
Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX HotStart Taq: Optimized for NGS-Based High-Throughput PEA
Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX is a unique formulation of Cheetah™ Taq developed specifically for high-throughput, NGS-based PEA assay for protein detection. Third-party validated in high-throughput PEA, Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX is also compatible with fast-cycling qPCR.
Key Features of Cheetah™ HotStart Taq DNA Polymerase:
Novel chemical hot-start mechanism: No antibodies, no activation lag
Rapid 2-minute activation at 95°C
Antibody-free, low-DNA enzyme for contamination-free results
Superior long-term stability than traditional chemically modified Taq
Versatile use for fast-cycling qPCR and PEA
Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX developed and validated for NGS-based PEA assays
Available in ready-to-use kits and customizable bulk formats
Cheetah™ Taq requires only 2 minutes of heat activation for full recovery of activity. Comparison of hot-start recovery of polymerase activity for Cheetah™ Taq and AmpliTaq Gold® following incubation at 95°C in 50 mM pH 8.0 Tris.
Cheetah™ Taq requires only 2 minutes of heat activation for full recovery of activity. Comparison of hot-start recovery of polymerase activity for Cheetah™ Taq and AmpliTaq Gold® following incubation at 95°C in 50 mM pH 8.0 Tris.
Cheetah™ FLEX and Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX Hotstart Taq are available now and can be purchased in standard or bulk sizes. Both formulations are available for licensing; contact techsupport@biotium.com for evaluation samples and to discuss custom size, packaging, or formulation options.
Long-lasting, bright F-actin staining made easy with Biotium’s new ActinBrite™ High Affinity Phalloidin Conjugates
May 9, 2025 – FREMONT, CA — Biotium, a leading developer of fluorescent reagents for life science research, is proud to introduce ActinBrite™ High Affinity Phalloidin Conjugates — a new generation of fluorescent phalloidin conjugates engineered to preserve exceptional binding affinity to F-actin for bright, reliable staining that lasts up to a month after staining.
Traditional phalloidin conjugates can have weakened affinity due to dye modification, leading to loss of signal over time after staining. In contrast, ActinBrite™ conjugates maintain strong F-actin interaction, allowing stained samples to retain fluorescence intensity and specificity for far longer. This advancement offers scientists greater flexibility for downstream imaging, particularly for academic experiments requiring extended storage, imaging at a later time, or large-scale batch staining.
Key Features of ActinBrite™ High Affinity Phalloidin Conjugates:
Strong Binding: Preserves high F-actin binding affinity for bright, stable staining
Stable Signal: Staining remains stable for over a month (depending on conjugate and mounting method)
Flexible Imaging: Enables delayed imaging without loss of signal or specificity up to 1 month
Color Options: Available in 5 colors from green to near-IR for flexible multiplexing
Compatible: Direct replacements for conventional phalloidin conjugates
PFA-fixed, Triton® X-100 permeabilized HeLa cells were stained with ActinBrite™ 488/505 High Affinity Phalloidin, ActinBrite™ 665/690 High Affinity Phalloidin, or the leading competitor dye phalloidins with spectrally similar excitation and emission. Cells were imaged in EverBrite™ Mounting Medium, then stored at 4°C, protected from light, and imaged again using the same microscope settings after 15 days.
ActinBrite™ conjugates are ideal for imaging F-actin in fixed cells and tissues across a range of applications, including cytoskeletal studies, cell morphology analysis, and multiplex fluorescence imaging. This product line adds to Biotium’s broad portfolio of superior cellular stains and fluorescent probes.
Discover Biotium’s new RNaseReveal™ Activity Assay Kit—ultrasensitive RNase detection with a fast, easy protocol to streamline your workflow.
Fremont, CA – April 25, 2025 – Biotium, a leading developer of fluorescent reagents for life science research, announces the launch of the RNaseReveal™ Activity Assay Kit, with unparalleled sensitivity to detect RNase contamination at levels as low as 0.08 pg in liquid samples.
This powerfully precise fluorescent assay streamlines RNA workflows and is designed to improve and shorten the duration of quality control (QC) procedures. The kit features Biotium’s proprietary RNaseReveal™ Substrate, an ssRNA probe labeled with a fluorophore and quencher that produces a bright green fluorescence signal upon RNase-mediated cleavage. The assay is completed in 40 minutes and is compatible with fluorescence plate readers or handheld fluorometers for sensitive and efficient detection.
A dilution series of RNase A (Cat. No. 99871-600uL) was prepared and 800 pg down to 0.08 pg was tested in the RNaseReveal™ assay. The lowest amount of RNase A (0.08 pg) was detectable above background. The signal saturated at 800 pg/well.
Exceptional sensitivity, detecting as little as ~0.08 pg of RNase
Rapid 40-minute assay protocol
Compatible with handheld fluorometers and fluorescence plate readers
Ideal for detecting RNase contamination in quality control workflows
The kit includes RNaseReveal™ Substrate (Cat. No. 31086A) and 10X RNaseReveal™ Assay Buffer (Cat. No. 31086B), formulated to maximize detection efficiency and accuracy. For optimal results, Biotium recommends using RNase A (Cat. No. 99871-600uL) as a positive control, available separately.
Fremont, CA – February 24 2025: Biotium, a leading developer of fluorescent reagents, proudly announces the launch of five new sets of CF® Dye Lectin Conjugates. These glycobiology tools are now available to researchers seeking unparalleled sensitivity and reliability in glycan detection. The new conjugates include:
Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA I): Recognizes α-linked fucose residues and serves as a marker for endothelial cells and incompletely differentiated gastrin cells.
The new lectin conjugates are labeled with Biotium’s proprietary CF® Dyes, boasting exceptional brightness, photostability, and a range of emission wavelengths from UV to near-infrared. CF® Dyes outperform other fluorescent dyes for applications such as fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and western blotting through multiple key metrics, including:
Brightness: Superior signal-to-noise ratios for clear, high-resolution imaging.
Photostability: Sustained fluorescence during prolonged imaging sessions.
Broad Selection: Available in a wide range of excitation and emission wavelengths for flexibility across applications.
Biotium’s expanded lectin conjugate portfolio provides researchers with robust tools for studying cell surface glycans, glycoproteins, and tissue-specific carbohydrate structures. These lectins are commonly used in lectin arrays or blots for profiling carbohydrate expression or identifying novel ligand-receptor interactions. The combination of highly specific lectins and superior CF® Dye performance ensures reliable and reproducible results for complex glycobiology experiments.
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