Xylene cyanol FF is commonly used as a tracking dye in gel electrophoresis, particularly in agarose and polyacrylamide gels. It helps monitor the progress of DNA, RNA, or protein migration during electrophoresis due to its distinct blue color. The dye migrates at a rate similar to medium-sized DNA fragments, making it a useful marker for estimating the size of nucleic acids. Additionally, it is sometimes employed in combination with other dyes, such as bromophenol blue, to provide a broader range of reference points for tracking. Beyond electrophoresis, xylene cyanol FF can also serve as a pH indicator, changing color in response to acidic or alkaline conditions. Its versatility and stability make it a valuable tool in molecular biology and biochemical research.