SYBR nucleic acid gel dye is one of the most sensitive dyes available for the detection of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in agarose and polyacrylamide gels.

Because SYBR has a higher sensitivity for dsDNA, it is particularly useful for analyses in which the presence of contaminating RNA or ssDNA can obscure results. With exceptionally low background fluorescence and spectral characteristics that closely match existing light sources and instrument filter sets, SYBR staining is ideal for use with laser scanners.