Tris-EDTA buffer

TE buffer is a commonly used buffer solution, especially in procedures involving DNA, cDNA or RNA.

"TE" is derived from its components: Tris, a pH buffer, and EDTA, a molecule that chelates cations like Mg²⁺. The purpose of TE buffer is to solubilize DNA or RNA, while protecting it from degradation.

Recipe

• 10 mM Tris, bring to pH 8.0 with HCl
• 1 mM EDTA

TE buffer is also called as T₁₀E₁ Buffer, and read as "T ten E one buffer".

For 100 ml

Add to a sterile bottle:

• 1 ml of 1 M Tris base (pH 8.0)
• 0.2 ml EDTA (0.5 M)

mixed and made up with double distilled water up to 100ml. Add microliter amounts of high molarity HCl to lower the pH to 8.

Genomic and plasmid DNA can be stored in TE Buffer at 4 °C for short-term use, or -20 °C to -80 °C for long-term storage.