TBE Buffer (10X)

TBE (Tris-Borate-EDTA) can be used for both agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. TBE Buffer is recommended for high resolution of small DNA fragments (<1,5kb), e.g. PCR products or products of restriction enzyme digestion, however, it is also suitable for RNA polyacrylamide electrophoresis. TBE Buffer (10X) is an aqueous solutions of 0,89M Tris, 0,89M boric acid, and 0,02M EDTA, prepared with ultrapure water, and 0.2 µm filtered.

Usage
The working concentration is 1X or 0,5X. Prepare 1L TBE Buffer (1X) by mixing 100ml of the 10x concentrated buffer with 900ml of ddH₂O. A 1X TBE buffer consists of 89 mM Tris-borate, 2mM EDTA at pH 8.3±0.1  In agarose gel electrophoresis, TBE should be used  both for the preparation of the gel as well as running buffer. TBE has a greater ionic strength than TAE, and therefore, is suitable for longer runs and results in better resolution and sharper bands.

Storage
TBE Buffer (10X) should be stored at room temperature and is stable for up to one year.