Molecular Beacons

Molecular Beacons also have a fluorescent reporter and a quencher at their 5' and 3' ends, respectively (Figure 2). The sequence of these probes is designed so that they form a hairpin structure in which the fluorescent dye and the quencher are in close proximity. A Molecular Beacon specific for the sequence of interest is used in PCR. The probe is designed to anneal between the PCR primers. When the probe hybridizes to its target sequence in the PCR annealing step, the loop opens and the fluorescent reporter and quencher are separated, resulting in a fluorescent signal. The amount of signal is proportional to the amount of target sequence, and is measured in real time to allow quantification of the amount of target sequence.

Beijing SBS Genetech is a licensed supplier of Molecular Beacons, and offers a large number of fluorescent reporters and different quenchers. Molecular Beacons with a dabcyl quencher and a variety of different fluorescent reporters can be conveniently ordered from Beijing SBS Genetech. All Molecular Beacons provided are PAGE  purified.