About Vti1a
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the family of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein-attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) that function in intracellular trafficking. This family member is involved in vesicular transport between endosomes and the trans-Golgi network. It is a vesicle-associated SNARE (v-SNARE) that interacts with target membrane SNAREs (t-SNAREs). Polymorphisms in this gene have been associated with binocular function, and also with susceptibility to colorectal and lung cancers. A recurrent rearrangement has been found between this gene and the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene in colorectal cancers. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2015]

About FITC
Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) has an excitation peak at 495 nm and an emission peak at 519 nm. The name FITC is a misnomer in that the isothiocyanate is a reactive form of this dye. Once FITC is conjugated to an antibody, it is simply Fluorescein conjugated. FITC is one of the most widely used dyes for fluorescent applications, therefore most instruments come standard with a 488 nm laser and FITC filter set up. FITC is commonly conjugated to secondary antibodies and used in applications such as flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. FITC is relatively dim, sensitive to photobleaching and it is susceptible to changes is pH. There are better performing alternatives to FITC, like Vio®Bright 515, Alexa Fluor™ 488, iFluor® 488, CF®488A and DY-488. FITC is a long-time generic dye with no sole manufacturer or trademark.