DRAQ5™ is a far-red emitting, anthraquinone compound that stains nuclei in live cells. It is permeant to live cells and thus can be used for cell cycle analysis and/or staining of nucleated cells. It is optimally excited at 568 nm, 633 nm, and 647nm and can be detected using 695LP, 715LP, and 780LP filters. DRAQ5™ can also be used in cell imaging and is a good replacement for DAPI, as it does not get excited by UV or Violet lasers and is sub-optimally excited by the 488 nm laser. DRAQ5™ can be combined with FITC, PE, and other UV or violet excitable dyes for multi-color analysis.