TBE buffer

TBE or Tris/Borate/EDTA, is a buffer solution containing a mixture of Tris base, boric acid and EDTA.

In molecular biology, TBE and TAE buffers are often used in procedures involving nucleic acids, the most common being electrophoresis. Tris-acid solutions are effective buffers for slightly basic conditions, which keep DNA deprotonated and soluble in water. EDTA is a chelator of divalent cations, particularly of magnesium (Mg²⁺). As these ions are necessary co-factors for many enzymes, including contaminant nucleases, the role of the EDTA is to protect the nucleic acids against enzymatic degradation. But since Mg²⁺ is also a co-factor for many useful DNA-modifying enzymes such as restriction enzymes and DNA polymerases, its concentration in TBE or TAE buffers is generally kept low (typically at around 1 mM).

More recently discovered substitutes for TBE and TAE buffers for electrophoresis are available.^[1]

^ Brody, J.R.; Kern, S.E. (2004). "History and principles of conductive media for standard DNA electrophoresis" (PDF). Anal Biochem. 333 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.ab.2004.05.054. PMID 15351274.

[1] Brody, J.R.; Kern, S.E. (2004). "History and principles of conductive media for standard DNA electrophoresis" (PDF). Anal Biochem. 333 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.ab.2004.05.054. PMID 15351274.

[1]