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X-Gal is an organic compound consisting of galactose linked to a substituted indole. The compound was synthesized by Jerome Horwitz and collaborators in 1964.

X-Gal is a widely used chromogenic substrate for β-galactosidase. It yields a dark blue precipitate at the site of enzymatic activity.

Applications

Chromogenic substrate

Cell permeant

β-galactosidase activity can still be detected using X-Gal after fixation 

In gene cloning, X-gal is used as a visual indication of whether a cell expresses a functional β-galactosidase enzyme in a technique called blue/white screening. This method of screening is a convenient way of distinguishing a successful cloning product from other unsuccessful ones.

Gene markers

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For Research Use Only. Not for human or animal therapeutic or diagnostic use.