TBE Buffer 1 L (Tris-borate-EDTA) (10X)

10X TBE Buffer (Tris-borate-EDTA) is the most commonly used buffer for DNA and RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. TBE is used with non-denaturing or denaturing (7 M urea) gels. It is also routinely used for DNA automated sequencing gel. TBE can also be used for agarose gels but is not recommended for preparative gels for the recovery of nucleic acids. Since borate in TBE buffer is a strong inhibitor for many enzymes, TAE buffer is recommended when looking at enzymatic applications for the DNA sample.

Applications

• • Electrophoresis of nucleic acids in agarose and polyacrylamide gels
• • Used both as a running buffer and as a gel preparation buffer
• • Filtered through a 0.22 µm membrane
• • Recommended for electrophoresis of RNA and DNA fragments smaller than 1500 bp

Note
Double-stranded linear nucleic acid molecules migrate about 10% slower in TBE buffer than in TAE buffer.