Storage Conditions
Recommended storage temperatures, shelf lives and handling notes for fluorescent dyes, kits and biological products.
-20°C — Frozen storage
Store sealed and light-protected at -20°C ± 5°C. Equilibrate on ice or at room temperature before use; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
📋 Applicable products
- •NHS ester-activated fluorescent dyes (dry powder)
- •Maleimide dyes (dry powder)
- •Enzymes (polymerases, ligases, etc.)
- •dNTP mix solutions
- •Certain antibody/protein conjugates
💡 Storage tips
- •Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles — aliquot into single-use portions
- •Allow tubes to reach room temperature before opening to prevent condensation
- •Lyophilized powders must be equilibrated to room temperature before opening
2–8°C — Refrigerated storage
Store sealed and light-protected at 2–8°C (refrigerated). Use ice packs or cold-chain shipping to maintain temperature during transport.
📋 Applicable products
- •Most antibody/protein fluorescent conjugates (solution)
- •Pre-mixed qPCR reagents (ProMaster series)
- •HPLC-purified fluorescent dyes (solution form)
- •Activated ester solutions (pre-dissolved in DMSO/DMF)
- •Cell-staining kits
💡 Storage tips
- •Do not freeze! Solutions containing glycerol or proteins may lose activity upon freezing
- •For long-term storage, aliquot and freeze at -20°C where applicable
- •Monitor refrigerator temperature regularly to ensure it stays within 2–8°C
RT — Ambient dry storage
Store sealed, dry and light-protected at room temperature (15–25°C). Avoid direct sunlight and humid environments.
📋 Applicable products
- •Lyophilized dye powders (select products)
- •Oligonucleotides (dry powder / desalted)
- •Chemical crosslinkers (e.g. EDC, NHS)
- •Buffer salt powders
- •Laboratory consumables and accessories
💡 Storage tips
- •Reseal tightly after opening to prevent moisture uptake
- •Storage in a desiccator or sealed bag with desiccant is preferred
- •Keep away from heat sources and direct sunlight
-80°C — Ultra-low temperature
Store at -80°C ultra-low temperature. Ship on dry ice; transfer to a -80°C freezer immediately upon receipt.
📋 Applicable products
- •Live cell suspensions or cell pellets
- •Tissue lysates / cell extracts
- •Certain specialty enzyme preparations
- •Custom products requiring special storage
💡 Storage tips
- •Use cryogenic vials with inner-thread caps rated for ultra-low temperatures
- •Record storage location (rack/box number) for quick retrieval
- •Use dry ice or a portable liquid-nitrogen container when transferring to prevent temperature rise
⚠️ General Storage Principles
- • Light protection: Nearly all fluorescent dyes are light-sensitive; always store protected from light. Use amber vials or aluminum-foil wrapping.
- • Dry conditions: Hygroscopic products should be stored in a desiccator and used promptly after opening.
- • Tight sealing: Replace caps immediately after each use to prevent air and moisture ingress.
- • Aliquoting: Large-volume products should be aliquoted into smaller portions under aseptic conditions to minimize repeated opening.
- • Labeling: After aliquoting, always label with product name, catalog number, lot number and aliquoting date.
- • FIFO: Follow the First In, First Out (FIFO) principle — use older lots before newer ones.