Molecular Research Center Background Quencher, a hybridization assay blocking agent

BACKGROUND QUENCHER^TM
Cat. No. BQ 112
Store at room temperature. Protect from direct light.
Use within one year from the date of purchase.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Background Quencher^TM is a proprietary product of Molecular Research Center designed for use as a blocking reagent in hybridization assays. It is supplied as a 10X concentrate which can be stored at room temperature for at least one year. Background Quencher prevents non-specific binding of hybridization probes so effectively that supplementation of a hybridization solution with sonicated DNA or with RNA is not necessary. Background Quencher itself does not contain nucleic acids. This is especially advantageous in hybridization assays with probes containing conserved sequences, since nucleic acids added to a hybridization solution may contain homologous sequences interfering with the probe hybridization. In addition, the use of Background Quencher allows for shortening prehybridization time to 15 minutes.

APPLICATION
Background Quencher can be used with any hybridization protocol, with double- and single - stranded probes, with hybridization solutions containing formamide or without formamide and with or without dextran sulphate. The optimal concentration of NaCl in hybridization solution containing Background Quencher is within the range of 0.5 - 1 M.

PREHYBRIDIZATION
Carry on prehybridization using solution containing 0.1 M NaCl and 1% SDS for at least 15 minutes at 20 - 60 C. If necessary, the prehybridization solution may be supplemented with 1X Background Quencher.

HYBRIDIZATION
Add one volume of 10X Background Quencher to nine volumes of a hybridization solution and perform hybridization according to your routine protocol.