AnaSpec, Inc. Introduces Fluorescent Calcium Indicators

San Jose, CA – November 3, 2008 Calcium plays a vital role in the regulation of cardiac contractility, growth and gene expression; consequently, calcium measurement is critical in numerous biological investigations. Fluorescent probes that show spectral responses upon Ca2+ binding have enabled researchers to investigate changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations using techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, fluorescence spectroscopy. Most of these fluorescent indicators are derivatives of BAPTA, chelators that incorporate a photo-induced-electron transfer (PET) system responsive to calcium. Instruments, such as FLIPR® and FlexStationTM have enabled high throughput measurement of calcium for GPCR and ion channel research.

AnaSpec is pleased to showcase a wide selection of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators. These calcium indicators are of the highest quality and are cost-effective. They include UV-excitable and visible light-excitable calcium indicators.

Among the UV-excitable calcium indicators, Fura-2 and Indo-1 are the most commonly used. Fura-2 is excitation-ratioable while indo-1 is emission-ratioable. While Fluo-3 and Rhod-2 are the most commonly used among the visible light-excitable calcium indicators. Fluo-3 indicators are widely used in flow cytometry and confocal laser-scanning microscopy. More recently, Fluo-3, AM has been extensively used in cell-based HTS assays for functional GPCR assays. The long-wavelength Ca2+ indicators, Rhod-2 and X-rhod-1, are valuable alternatives to Fluo-3 for experiments in cells and tissues that have high autofluorescence.

About AnaSpec

AnaSpec is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to the world’s largest biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic research institutions. With a vision for innovation through synergy, AnaSpec focuses on three core technologies: peptides, detection reagents, and combinatorial chemistry.