Buffers

A buffer is an aqueous solution which serves to maintain a constant pH resisting any change when there is an addition of a base or an acid. Buffers are used widely in life science laboratories in numerous ways. For procedures like Agarose gel electrophoresis and southern blotting, buffers help in providing conductivity. In protein/nucleic acid extraction/purification and preservation, buffers like Tris-EDTA is used to maintain pH and integrity of the desired components. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) which contains phosphate along with sodium or potassium salts is used for media preparation and as a diluting agent. Based on the pH requirement, and buffering capacity, different buffers can be selected from amongst phosphates, tris, acetate, etc, which are available from various Biochemical brands on Biomall.in.