Mannitol in Lysis Buffer - (Sep/01/2009 )

Hi!

Can anyone tell me why some Western Lysis Buffers use Mannitol? I need to make some westrns for ferritin and I found some protocols which use this reagent. I don't have it and I'm unsure whether I should buy it first or try the western without it. Thanks for your help.

Jorge

I guess its for protein protection from denaturation. Protocols are made by people and a lot of protocols can be modified.