Q-banding (CAT#: STEM-GT-0012-WXH)

The Q banding is a Quinacribe banding based on the use of fluorophore quinacrine or atebrin. It’s a type of intercalating dye that binds to DNA and emits fluorescence when observed under a microscope.
When stained with the quinacrine, the AT regions enhance the fluorescence while the GC rich regions quench. More this, the base composition of DNA, the length of the chromosome and protein DNA interaction plays an important role in banding patterns of QFQ banding.

Identify individual chromosomes and their structural anomalies, given the resulting banding pattern.

1. Place air-dried slide of metaphase chromosomes in a Coplin jar containing quinacrine staining solution, 5 min at room temperature.
2. Rinse slide and air dry slide.
3. Mount slide using McIlvaine buffer. Add a coverslip and gently squeeze excess buffer from under coverslip.
4. View and photograph using fluorescence microscope with appropriate filters.

Microscope, Air-dried slides of metaphase chromosomes, Quinacrine staining solution, McIlvaine buffer