ethidium bromide

Ethidium bromide (EB) A trypanocidal agent and possible antiviral agent that is widely used in experimental cell biology and biochemistry. Ethidium has several experimentally useful properties including binding to nucleic acids, noncompetitive inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and fluorescence among others. It is most commonly used as the bromide. Ethidium bromide has a λEx of 300-360 nm and a λEm of 590 nm.

Ethidium monoazide bromide, a fluorescent dye that intercalates with DNA, selectively penetrates bacteria possessing compromised membranes. Upon photoactivation, it forms covalent bonds with DNA, enabling it to exclusively stain dead cells [1].