Taq at 2-8 - (Dec/14/2009 )

Hi ,

I have a quick question about Taq DNA polymerase. I have Taq which has been accidently stored ( by my colleauge ) for about two months at 2-8 C instead of -20 C . Would you think it still can be used ? . Since Taq is a thermostable enzyme I assume it can withstand temperatures like 2-8 , at least for two months , though I am not sure . Anything of that sort of accident had happened to you someday ? Did the enzyme remain active with no problems or perhaps you had to use slightly greater amounts per reaction ?

Thank you

Why don't you just do a reaction with the Taq stored in the refrigerator and another with an aliquot from the freezer and get the answer ??

An unopened tube of Taq DNAP is stable on the benchtop (room temperature) for 6 months. The reason we keep it at -20C is to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold once the tube has been opened.

gogreen on Dec 14 2009, 10:53 AM said:

Because currently we don't hae Taq stored in the refrigerator , It was the last tube of Taq we had . And We have just found this tube in the fridge . So I could get a false negative result because of the Taq having lost its efficiency , or I could get a true negative result and there's no way to tell which one is the case . Besides, I need to know quickly.

tfitzwater on Dec 14 2009, 11:00 AM said:

Thank you. It does make sense . I hope It'll be ok.