What is SmartDye™ and how does it compare to BigDye™?
SmartDye™ Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit is a direct, plug-and-play replacement for Applied Biosystems™ BigDye™ Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit, built on the same proven Sanger sequencing chemistry that researchers trust — but engineered for higher accuracy, longer read lengths, and superior performance on difficult templates
It delivers exceptional data quality, even in GT-rich regions, with no additional calibration, no mobility shift files, and no changes to your existing workflow.
Do I need to change my current protocol to use SmartDye™?
Not at all. SmartDye™ is fully protocol-compatible with BigDye™. Simply substitute SmartDye™ for BigDye™ in your standard sequencing reactions.
It works seamlessly with all major sequencing platforms and requires no adjustments to run conditions or data analysis parameters.
In fact, users can even shorten reaction times to as little as 3 minutes without compromising accuracy
How does SmartDye™ achieve high-quality, long-read sequencing?
SmartDye™ uses an optimized fluorescent terminator mix — a proprietary blend of labeled dideoxynucleotides, DNA polymerase, and a 5X optimized buffer. This formulation enhances signal-to-noise ratio, producing clean electropherograms and long contiguous reads.
It is especially robust for challenging templates like GT-rich sequences, where competing chemistries often fail
Can SmartDye™ handle difficult templates and low-quality DNA?
Yes — that’s where SmartDye™ excels.
Its advanced dye chemistry provides robust performance across PCR products, plasmids, BACs, and fosmids, even with low template concentrations or secondary structure-rich regions.
Researchers report consistently higher-quality traces in problem templates compared to BigDye™, with reduced background noise and improved peak clarity
What applications can SmartDye™ be used for?
SmartDye™ supports a broad range of sequencing workflows, including:
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De novo sequencing
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Resequencing and finishing
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Mutation detection and genotyping
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Template confirmation for cloning and expression
Whether you’re working with standard plasmids or large genomic inserts, SmartDye™ provides the flexibility and reliability your sequencing projects demand
Is SmartDye™ more affordable than BigDye™?
Absolutely. SmartDye™ offers significant cost savings while maintaining the same level of precision and reliability as BigDye™.
It is supplied as a ready-to-use premix with a 5X buffer and is available in multiple package sizes (24 to 25,000 reactions) to suit any throughput level.
Tests have shown that SmartDye™ performs exceptionally well with smaller volumes — as little as 0.15 µL per 5 µL reaction, making it even more budget-friendly for high-volume labs
