A dark quencher is a non-fluorescent chromophore that absorbs fluorescence energy from a neighboring fluorophore, thereby preventing emission of fluorescent light. In Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), a dark quencher then relaxes to its ground state by emitting energy as heat. In static quenching, e.g., in molecular beacons, the dark quencher forms a ground state complex with the fluorophore, preventing emission of fluorescence until hybridization disrupts the complex. Glen Research already offers a variety of quenchers for a wide range of applications. However, quenching at longer wavelengths has always been problematical since molecules absorbing at >600nm tend to have extended p systems that make them very susceptible to degradation by the conditions of oligonucleotide synthesis and deprotection.
We are now happy to begin offering several products containing the BlackBerry® Quencher (BBQ-650®). Based on an 8-alkoxyjulolidine structure that is a potent p electron donor, BBQ-650 exhibits a broad absorption profile from 550nm to 750nm, centered at 650nm. This range offers more effective quenching of some of our popular long wavelength dyes like TAMRA, Redmond Red, Cy dyes and DyLight dyes. Moreover, BBQ-650 is stable to regular deprotection, but requires mild deprotection with AMA at room temperature. We offer BBQ-650 products for the 3’ and 5’ termini, as well as BBQ-650-dT for inclusion within the oligonucleotide sequence. The UV/Visible spectrum of BBQ-650-T10, shown in Figure 3, demonstrates the broad quenching range of BBQ-650 from 550nm to 750nm.
BlackBerry® Quencher technology: US Patent 7,879,986. The purchase of BlackBerry® Quencher reagents includes a limited license to use these reagents exclusively for research and development purposes. They may not be used for clinical or diagnostic purposes and they may not be re-sold, distributed, or re-packaged without prior agreement and consent of Berry & Associates, Inc. Subsequent sale of products that are derived from BlackBerry® Quencher reagents is permitted so long as the following written disclaimer is included in written and electronic catalogs, in commercial advertisement, and in packages with containers of such derivative products: “BlackBerry is a trademark of Berry & Associates, Inc. Products derived from BlackBerry® Quencher reagents are sold exclusively for research and development use by the purchaser. They may not be used for clinical or diagnostic purposes without prior agreement and consent of Berry & Associates, Inc.”
