Detection of PCR products in gel electrophoresis

1. A method for analyzing nucleic acids in a sample containing DNA comprising the steps of

adding a DNA binding dye to the sample to bind the nucleic acids in the sample and form a nucleic acid/DNA binding dye complex, wherein the DNA binding dye is RO 27 having a structure:

amplifying the nucleic acids by means of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR),

applying the amplified sample to a gel matrix,

separating the amplified nucleic acid molecules according to size by applying a voltage to the gel matrix,

exciting the molecules with light at a wavelength suitable for visualizing the dye complex, and

optically visualizating the nucleic acid/DNA binding dye complex, thereby analyzing the nucleic acids in the sample,

wherein the gel matrix is not pre-stained prior to separating the nucleic acid molecules and wherein the gel matrix is not stained after separating the nucleic acid molecules.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the amplification is measured in real time during the PCR with the aid of the DNA binding dye.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the gel matrix is polyacrylamide or agarose.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the gel matrix is polyacrylamide and is present in a capillary.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the DNA binding dye is added to the sample at a concentration of 1-10 μM.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the DNA binding dye is added to the sample at a concentration of 2-4 μM.

7. A kit for carrying out the method of claim 1 comprising

reagents for carrying out a polymerase chain reaction,

a vessel containing RO 27, and

at least one polyacrylamide gel matrix.