TBE Buffer, 10X, Molecular Biology Grade

Tris, borate, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (TBE) buffer is used to perform agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA and RNA. It consists of a weak acid that exists in neutral and anionic forms (e.g., COOH and COO^- species). Tris is a weak base, which occurs in either neutral or cationic forms (Tris-NH₂ and Tris-NH₃⁺). These ions maintain a low conductivity medium, transmit the electrical current, and buffer the pH. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) although not essential is added as a preventative since it chelates Mg²⁺ ions and inactivates potential DNA nucleases. TBE allows an effective resolution of DNA fragments and slightly improves the separation of smaller fragments. It also stabilizes nucleic acids against enzymatic degradation.

A 10X concentrate that can be diluted to a 1X solution containing 89 mM Tris, 89 mM boric acid, 2 mM EDTA, pH ~8.3.

TBE Buffer, 10X, Molecular Biology Grade-Calbiochem has been used as a component of polyacrylamide sequencing gels for DNA electrophoresis using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).

CALBIOCHEM is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Toxicity: Irritant (B)