Luckau Protocols:Low TE

Purpose
Low TE buffer is used to store DNA.
 * EDTA chelates Mg2+ and other divalent metals ions
 * (inhibits DNAse and RNAse to suppress DNA and RNA degradation)
 * Tris is a buffering agent to keep the solution at a defined pH
 * The 'Cl' or 'HCl' indicates the pH was attained using aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl), since Tris is naturally basic

Protocol
1x Low TE = 10 mM Tris-HCl + 0.1 mM EDTA


 * Sterilize by autoclaving for 20 min at 15 psi (1.05 kg/cm2) on liquid cycle
 * Store at 4°C or room temperature

FYI

 * Note, downstream reactions (PCR) typically require Mg2+, potentially making the presence of EDTA in the reaction problematic. So, when using DNA or RNA that was suspended in TE, keep track of the amount of EDTA in the mix to make sure there is still enough Mg2+ for subsequent reactions to proceed successfully. Each EDTA molecule chelates one Mg2+ ion.
 * TE versus Low TE:
 * {| style="text-align:center"


 * - || Tris-Cl || EDTA
 * TE || 10 mM || 1 mM
 * Low TE || 10 mM || 0.1 mM
 * }
 * Some people use TE buffers with different pH's for different applications
 * DNA is stored at pH 8 to reduce depurination, which is acid catalyzed
 * RNA is stored at pH 7.5 to reduce degradation of RNA, which is base-catalyzed
 * Most downstream reactions will not be influenced by the slightly different pH storage conditions.
 * RNA is stored at pH 7.5 to reduce degradation of RNA, which is base-catalyzed
 * Most downstream reactions will not be influenced by the slightly different pH storage conditions.