About Nodal
This gene encodes a secreted ligand of the TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily of proteins. Ligands of this family bind various TGF-beta receptors leading to recruitment and activation of SMAD family transcription factors that regulate gene expression. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature protein, which regulates early embryonic development. This protein is required for maintenance of human embryonic stem cell pluripotency and may play a role in human placental development. Mutations in this gene are associated with heterotaxy, a condition characterized by random orientation of visceral organs with respect to the left-right axis. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]

About Alexa Fluor 700
Alexa Fluor™ 700 (AF700, Alexa 700) has an excitation peak at 702 nm and an emission peak at 723 nm, and is spectrally similar to iFluor® 680 (ATT Bioquest) and iFluor® 700 (ATT Bioquest). Alexa 700 is commonly used in Flow Cytometry and is similar in size, brightness and application to iFluor® 700 and Vio® R720.