Pronunciation: [fˈɪtkdɛkstɹən] (IPA) 
The word "FITCDEXTRAN" is a compound of "FITC" and "dextran". "FITC" is an abbreviation of "fluorescein isothiocyanate", a molecule used in fluorescence microscopy. "Dextran" is a complex sugar polymer. The spelling of "FITCDEXTRAN" follows the convention of combining two words into a single word. The pronunciation is /fɪtsi:ˈdɛkstrən/ where "FITC" is pronounced "fitsi" and "dextran" is pronounced "deks-trən".
FITC-dextran, also known as fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran or FITC-dextrans, is a fluorescent dye-conjugated dextran molecule. It is commonly used in biological research and molecular biology applications for various purposes, especially for studying cellular permeability and tracking the movement of molecules within cells and tissues.
FITC-dextran is composed of dextran, a complex carbohydrate derived from microbial fermentation of sucrose, which is conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). FITC is a fluorescent dye that emits green fluorescence upon excitation with light of a specific wavelength. This fluorescence property allows for easy visualization and tracking of FITC-dextran within living cells or tissues using fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.
The dextran component of FITC-dextran provides several important characteristics. It acts as a macromolecule that cannot readily pass through intact cellular or tissue barriers, making it ideal for assessing cellular permeability and the integrity of biological barriers. By loading cells or tissues with FITC-dextran and monitoring its leakage or diffusion, researchers can gain insights into the permeability of cell membranes or the integrity of vascular or epithelial barriers.
FITC-dextran can be used in vitro or in vivo to assess transport mechanisms, such as endocytosis or fluid-phase pinocytosis, in cells. It can also be employed to evaluate drug delivery systems, study cell migration, or investigate the presence of leaky blood vessels in diseases like cancer.
Overall, FITC-dextran is a valuable tool in the field of biomedical research, enabling scientists to investigate various cellular and molecular processes, as well as assess the permeability and integrity of biological barriers.
