
Reuse TAE buffer and agarose gel?
#1
Posted 27 January 2005 - 09:44 PM
I've just started in a new lab, and here they re-use their 1X TAE for DNA gels up to 5 times. I was under the impression that it should only be used once, however TBE could be used around 3 times.
So, should you, or should you not re-use TAE?
Thanks alot....
Ros[B][COLOR=red]
#2
Posted 27 January 2005 - 10:04 PM
#3
Posted 27 January 2005 - 10:16 PM
i just used google to do a search, and found the commercially available 50XTAE from eppendorf should only be used once. presumably its the same recipe as standard TAE...
Website:
www.eppendorf.com/script/cms-newspic. php?id=1771&inline=1&col=DOWNLOADFILE
quote:
"For agarose gel electrophoresis, 50x TAE should be diluted to a working concentration of 1x. The TAE buffer should be
replaced after each electrophoresis run due to the anode solution becoming alkaline and the cathode solution acidic, which
results in lowered DNA mobility."
but if it works, then may as well.
thanks again...
#4
Posted 27 January 2005 - 10:25 PM
"For agarose gel electrophoresis, 50x TAE should be diluted to a working concentration of 1x. The TAE buffer should be
replaced after each electrophoresis run due to the anode solution becoming alkaline and the cathode solution acidic, which
results in lowered DNA mobility."
So you will buy more from them, they will make more money

#5
Posted 28 January 2005 - 02:55 AM
if you do not cut your gel, then reuse it until someone else change the buffer.Hi all,
I've just started in a new lab, and here they re-use their 1X TAE for DNA gels up to 5 times. I was under the impression that it should only be used once, however TBE could be used around 3 times.
So, should you, or should you not re-use TAE?
Thanks alot....
Ros[B][COLOR=red]

#6
Posted 28 January 2005 - 09:59 AM
anode solution becoming alkaline and the cathode solution acidic
Heh... It looks funny. No one can realize that to make them the same pH one hase just to mix them.

#7
Posted 28 January 2005 - 12:11 PM
Aside from remixing them to stabilize pH,

The little bubbles that come up from electrolysis of water.
#8
Posted 29 January 2005 - 06:32 PM
#9
Posted 29 January 2005 - 07:48 PM
I have worked in a lab where the gel itself is remelted and reused!!

Nick
All comments and communication are my own personal ones, and are not tied to any of my affiliations.
#10
Posted 29 January 2005 - 11:20 PM
in our lab we re-use the home made buffer and the gells as much as we can for routine work. in fact i pour my gells on glass plates to make them thin and re-use it unless it is not broken in handling.
chandima
#11
Posted 31 January 2005 - 02:04 AM
in our lab we use the buffer as far as 20 times or more. The buffer is changed when the colour has changed to blue due to the bromophenol blue used in loading buffer. But don't forget to remove ethidium bromide of the buffer (using columns from schleicher and schuell or activate carbon)
Edited by fred_33, 21 February 2005 - 02:28 AM.
#12
Posted 31 January 2005 - 06:01 AM
I generally reuse gels until I run out of lanes - however, if they do go off, it isn't the resolution that goes, but for some reason the samples don't sink into the lanes as well after a while. Not sure if that's just me though!
#13
Posted 31 January 2005 - 02:22 PM
i figured eppendorf just wants you to buy more buffer, but i make my own anyway - someone just told me once that you cant reuse it! evidently, they were very wrong!
#14
Posted 31 January 2005 - 02:43 PM
yes, i think this will dueI guess we use at least 10 times before someone changes the buffer. I think it is OK to continue use it if DNA can be well separated and bands are not distorted.
