In short, DRAQ5™ does work on FFPE samples and has been demonstrated in peer-reviewed publications. We do not provide a dedicated protocol for FFPE sections in our technical datasheet as the processing of the sections is upstream of the use of DRAQ5™ which is last of all, prior to imaging. Also, the pre-treatment of sections may differ according to the determinants being probed but these treatments do not impact on DRAQ5™ as long as the integrity of nuclear DNA is unaffected. We do, however, have a suitable protocol (for fixed cells) and DRAQ5™ is already cited in countless papers for this (the majority of the ca. 12000+, as of June 2024 [updated]).
With FFPE sections it is imperative to perform de-waxing and antigen retrieval procedures and those remain unchanged by switching to DRAQ5™. The key consideration is that once the sample is amenable to antibody probing it is more than ready for DRAQ5™ counterstaining.
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A search of the published literature provides two useful examples that include clear and comprehensive methods sections on FFPE and staining with DRAQ5™:
Kessler et al. Am J Pathol 2012, 180:186–198
Authors use DRAQ5™ at 6.25 µM (as counterstain)
Fleskens, et al. Histopathology 2010, 57: 14–26
Authors use DRAQ5™ at 25 µM (as counterstain and measure of ploidy)
Fleskens et al. are part of a clinical histopathology service (Nijmegen, NL) and use DRAQ5™ to measure ploidy, requiring its stoichiometric labeling capability and hence the higher concentration used to achieve this.
These papers would suggest using DRAQ5™at a concentration of between 6 and 25 µM* (1:800 – 1:200 dilution of the standard 5 mM product, e.g. DR50200) depending on the information required; from simple counterstaining to ploidy estimations. We strongly recommended NOT washing sections after DRAQ5™ staining. If necessary, excess liquid can be tamped away with an absorbent, lint-free tissue prior to mounting with a coverslip.** Besides its spectral properties, a major advantage of DRAQ5™is its convenience: it has excellent shelf-life and is ready-to-use straight from the fridge in an aqueous solution.
Cryosections have been similarly analysed using DRAQ5:
A search of the published literature provides two useful examples that include clear and comprehensive methods sections on FFPE and staining with DRAQ5™:
Kessler et al. Am J Pathol 2012, 180:186–198
Authors use DRAQ5™ at 6.25 µM (as counterstain)
Fleskens, et al. Histopathology 2010, 57: 14–26
Authors use DRAQ5™ at 25 µM (as counterstain and measure of ploidy)
Fleskens et al. are part of a clinical histopathology service (Nijmegen, NL) and use DRAQ5™ to measure ploidy, requiring its stoichiometric labeling capability and hence the higher concentration used to achieve this.
These papers would suggest using DRAQ5™at a concentration of between 6 and 25 µM* (1:800 – 1:200 dilution of the standard 5 mM product, e.g. DR50200) depending on the information required; from simple counterstaining to ploidy estimations. We strongly recommended NOT washing sections after DRAQ5™ staining. If necessary, excess liquid can be tamped away with an absorbent, lint-free tissue prior to mounting with a coverslip.** Besides its spectral properties, a major advantage of DRAQ5™is its convenience: it has excellent shelf-life and is ready-to-use straight from the fridge in an aqueous solution.
Cryosections have been similarly analysed using DRAQ5:
Sections were mounted and fixed with PFA, stained with primary and secondary antibody and finally counterstained with DRAQ5.
A recent, compelling paper by Elfer et al. (PLoS One 2016) compares the use of DRAQ5™ in place of Hematoxylin in histochemical procedures, giving equivalent results, starting first on FFPE sections and then moving to an accelerated procedure on uncut biopsies compatible with intra-operative timescales which H&E cannot deliver.
Elfer et al. use a higher concentration as they are developing an accelerated procedure and are aiming for a SIM-based approach for rapid intra-operative investigation and reporting.
Altogether, these confirm that DRAQ5™ performs as a counterstain for FFPE sections.
Visit our website for all the technical and ordering information for DRAQ5™and find out for yourself why people choose DRAQ5™ for their FFPE sections!
A recent, compelling paper by Elfer et al. (PLoS One 2016) compares the use of DRAQ5™ in place of Hematoxylin in histochemical procedures, giving equivalent results, starting first on FFPE sections and then moving to an accelerated procedure on uncut biopsies compatible with intra-operative timescales which H&E cannot deliver.
Elfer et al. use a higher concentration as they are developing an accelerated procedure and are aiming for a SIM-based approach for rapid intra-operative investigation and reporting.
Altogether, these confirm that DRAQ5™ performs as a counterstain for FFPE sections.
Visit our website for all the technical and ordering information for DRAQ5™and find out for yourself why people choose DRAQ5™ for their FFPE sections!
WHERE TO BUY
Notes:
*Our recommended protocol for the counterstaining of fixed cell preparations calls for a DRAQ5™ concentration of 5 µM, and this is reflected in the majority of the publications and represents a good starting point.
**To mount sections with a coverslip we would recommend the use of Prolong® Gold (Thermo Fisher Scientific) or Fluoromount-G® (Southern Biotech Associates, Inc.). It is essential that the mountant does NOT already contain a counterstain such as DAPI.
Notes:
*Our recommended protocol for the counterstaining of fixed cell preparations calls for a DRAQ5™ concentration of 5 µM, and this is reflected in the majority of the publications and represents a good starting point.
**To mount sections with a coverslip we would recommend the use of Prolong® Gold (Thermo Fisher Scientific) or Fluoromount-G® (Southern Biotech Associates, Inc.). It is essential that the mountant does NOT already contain a counterstain such as DAPI.
