NovaBlock™ Solution
Highest performance solution created to block non-specific binding of PE-tandem dyes as well as NovaFluor labels.
Application note: NovaBlockTM requires no change to most flow cytometry staining protocols. Prior to staining, in addition to other blocking solutions, add 5 µL of NovaBlockTM per 1×106 cells and incubate on ice for 5 minutes.
NovaBlock™ Solution has been specifically formulated to block the non-specific binding of NovaFluor labels, PE and APC tandems (PE-Dazzle™ 594, PE-Cy5, PE-Cy7, APC-Cy7 and APC-Fire™ 750) observed with macrophages and monocytes.
This non-antibody, non-protein based blocking solution has been shown to act as a high performing blocking solution for flow cytometry in stopping the non-specific binding of NovaFluor labels as well as cyanine-based PE and APC tandems.
Monocytes and background are a thing of the past.
- Use interchangeably for PE, APC tandems and NovaFluor™ staining in flow cytometry.
- Incorporates seamlessly into your current flow cytometry protocol with no additional steps.
- Better resolve populations by combining with NovaFluors to combine the spectrally cleanest fluorescent labels with industry-leading background reduction.
- Can be used without NovaFluor™ labels as well as a high performance replacement to your current monocyte blocking solution.

Consistently amazing discovery with these Blocking Solution features:
Incorporates into current staining workflow with zero additional hands-on time
Specially optimized blocking solution for flow cytometry applications
Engineered to enable high resolution biology
Blocking Solutions
Blocking Solution | Formulation | Purpose | Species Compatibility | Notes |
NovaBlockTM | Non-antibody & non-protein | Blocks non-specific binding of NovaFluorsTM, tandem dyes, and PE/Dazzle 594TM to monocytes/macrophages. | Human & Mouse | Can be used in addition to Fc block. Formulated as 5 µL/test. Does not impact compensation beads. |
True-Stain Monocyte BlockerTM | Non-antibody | Blocks non-specific binding of tandem dyes and PE/Dazzle 594TM to monocytes/macrophages. | Human & Mouse | |
Human Fc Block | Human IgG | Blocks non-specific binding of antibodies to Fc receptors expressed on monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes, B cells, and dendritic cells. | Human | Not recommended for staining human IgG. |
Mouse Fc Block | Anti-mouse CD16/CD32 antibody /Anti-mouse 2.4G2 antibody | Blocks non-specific binding of antibodies to Fc receptors expressed on monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes, B cells, and dendritic cells. | Mouse | |
Irrelevant Protein | BSA/FCS/FBS/human serum/mouse serum/rat serum | Blocks non-specific binding of antibodies to Fc receptors expressed on monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes, B cells, and dendritic cells. | Human & mouse | |
BD HorizonTM Brilliant Stain Buffer (or BD HorizonTM Brilliant Stain Buffer Plus) | Unreported proprietary formulation | Reduces dye-dye interactions between different polymer dyes. | Human & Mouse | Formulated as 50 µL/test (or 10 µL/test). May impact fluorescence of compensation beads. |
eBioscienceTM Super Bright Staining Buffer | Unreported proprietary formulation | Reduces dye-dye interactions between different polymer dyes. | Human & Mouse | Formulated as 5 µL/test. Not compatible with UltraComp eBeadsTM. |
NovaBlockTM Compatibility
True-Stain Monocyte BlockerTM | ✓ |
Human TruStain FcXTM | ✓ |
TruStain FcXTM | ✓ |
Irrelevant Protein | ✓ |
BD HorizonTM Brilliant Stain Buffer | ✓ |
eBioscienceTM Super Bright Staining Buffer | ✓ |
IgG Staining | ✓ |
DNA Intercalating Dyes | X |
Amine Reactive Dyes | ✓ |
Compensation Beads | ✓ |
Reduce background from Cyanine-based dyes and NovaFluor™ labels
Performance-tested block solutions serve as the best answer for reducing background observed from monocytes and macrophages binding non-specifically to cyanine-based fluorescent dyes.

Cell Phenotyping by Flow Cytometry
Uncover and better resolve cell population heterogeneity by flow cytometry. In combination with our NovaBlock, NovaFluor labels increase the parameters accessible per cell on extant instrumentation, and enable you to discover more.
(NovaBlockTM, NovaFluorTM, and NovaYellowTM are registered trademarks of Phitonex Inc. BioLegend®, PE-DazzleTM, and True-Stain Monocyte BlockerTM are registered trademarks of BioLegend, Inc. BD HorizonTM is a registered trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company. AttuneTM, eBioscienceTM and UltraComp eBeadsTM are registered trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific. CyTM is a trademark of GE Healthcare.)