DiI (DiIC18(3))

C₅₉H₉₇ClN₂O₄

lambdaEX/lambdaEm: 549/565 nm(MeOH)

Soluble in DMSO, DMF or ethanol

Gel pack with blue ice.

DiI is a widely used carbocyanine membrane dye that labels cell membranes by inserting its two long (C18 carbon) hydrocarbon chains into the lipid bilayer. Particularly, it has been extensively used for the anterograde and retrograde labeling of neurons. The intense fluorescence and high photostability of the dye make it possible to visualize the fine structures (axons and dendrites) of the neurons. Due to its low toxicity and the tendency to give highly stable cell labeling, the dye has also been generally used for long term cell tracing of cells both in cultures and in living embryos or animals.