Molecular beacons are similar to our dual-labelled probes as both utilise a fluorescent dye and quencher to enable the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. They are available with a wide range of fluorescent dyes and quencher options, providing flexibility for different applications. Molecular beacons are hairpin-shaped hybridisation probes that remain quenched when unbound. When they hybridise with a complementary target nucleic acid sequence, the hairpin structure opens, separating the fluorescent dye from the quencher and generating a detectable fluorescence signal.