Feedback to an alternative to Ethidium bromide - - (Jan/28/2015 )

Hi everyone,

recently a colleague contacted me about the REDSafe product. It says he wants to use it to replace ethidium bromide.

My concern is about safety. I found very little information on this product.

-First MSDS says nothing regarding composition...

-Second MSDS says it's 99water and 1% fluorescent solution.

Few information on the web says that the product is less mutagenic than EtBr (based on an Ames Test). However, I haven't found any data about it.

Also about waste, I would consider gels as hazardous waste, but what about the buffer ?

Please, share your thoughs and information about this product.

Fred

this subject occasionally comes up in various fora. you can get some more information on the safety of ethidium bromide at this thread: alternative to ethidium bromide

that being said, redsafe appears to be a very safe alternative to etbr, if you're willing to spend more.