Tris Acetate-EDTA buffer 

TAE running buffer is the most commonly used buffer for DNA agarose gel electrophoresis but is also used for non-denaturing RNA agarose gel electrophoresis.¹ Double-stranded DNA tends to run faster in TAE than in other buffers but can also become exhausted during extended electrophoresis. Buffer circulation or buffer replacement during extended electrophoresis can remedy the lower buffering capacity.² Dilution of the concentrated TAE buffer produces a 1× TAE buffer with 40 mM Tris-acetate and 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.3. The 1× TAE buffer is used both in the agarose gel and as a running buffer. Applied voltages of less than 5 V/cm (distance between the electrodes of the unit) are recommended for maximum resolution.

40 mM Tris acetate, pH approx. 8.3, containing 1 mM EDTA.

Solution prepared with 18 megohm water

Prepared with Biotechnology Performance Certified Trizma base (T6066) and Molecular Biology Reagent EDTA disodium salt (E5134). Solutions also contain acetic acid (A6283); powdered blend contains Trizma acetate (T1258).

0.2 μm filtered

working solution

DNase, RNase, Protease, none detected

suitable for gel electrophoresis (after dilution to working concentration)

suitable for nucleic acid electrophoresis

1. Sambrook, J., et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor, , (1989) 23, 6.7

2. Loening, U.E., The fractionation of high-molecular-weight ribonucleic acid by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Biochem. J. 102, 251-257, (1967)

Ogden, R.C., and Adams, D.A., Electrophoresis in agarose and acrylamide gels. Meth. Enzymol. 152, 61-87, (1987)

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