PMA (propidium monoazide) is a photo-reactive DNA-binding dye used in viability PCR (v-PCR) of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. PMA is available as a 1 mg lyophilized solid or 20 mM solution in water. Also try PMAxx™ (40069), a superior alternative to PMA.

• Selectively detect viable cells using qPCR
• Validated in hundreds of publications
• Dead cell specific dye, binds to DNA
• Covalently attaches to DNA after photoactivation
• Available as 1 mg lyophilized solid or 20 mM solution in water
• λ_Abs = 464 nm (before photolysis); λ_Abs/λ_Em= ~510/~610 nm (with DNA/RNA, after photolysis)

To learn more about the advantages of determining microbial or cell viability using viability PCR, visit the Viability PCR Technology Page.

About PMA

PMA dye is a DNA modifier invented by scientists at Biotium. It is a photo-reactive dye that binds to DNA with high affinity. Upon photolysis with visible light, PMA dye becomes covalently attached to DNA. This modified DNA cannot be amplified by PCR. The dye is designed to be cell membrane-impermeable. Thus, in a population of live and dead cells, only dead cells are susceptible to DNA modification due to compromised cell membranes. This unique feature of PMA dye makes it highly useful in selective detection of live bacteria by qPCR.

Since Biotium first developed PMA dye, there have been hundreds of publications on the use of the dye in many sample types including dozens of bacterial strains, biofilms, yeast, fungi, viruses, and eukaryotic cells. It has been used in such applications as food and water safety and environmental testing, and has been used in conjunction with qPCR, NextGen Sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing, and Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP).