It is used in the sequencing of nucleic acids and in the labeling of nucleotides.

It is able to move through the phloem due to its structural similarity to sucrose.

[3] It is typically loaded into the leaves in order to gain access to the phloem.

[4][5] This can be done by scraping, cutting, or weakening the leaf’s cuticle with an herbicide.

Popular derivatives for cell tracing purposes are carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE).