Merck, T6066-1KG, Trizma® base

Tris base, also known as Trometamol or Trizma base, plays a crucial role in diverse research applications as a biological buffer. Widely utilized in buffer formulations like TAE and TBE buffers, its pKa of 8.1 renders it well-suited for maintaining pH within the physiological range (pH 7.0-9.0) applicable to most living organisms. Researchers, however, need to be cautious when studying proteins, as Tris may potentially interfere with the activity of certain enzymes. This compound can be employed independently as a buffer or as part of mixed buffer formulations, including Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer, Tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE) buffer, Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE) buffer, among others. Notably, Tris base is pure, essentially stable, and relatively non-hygroscopic. In laboratory settings, Tris base proves indispensable for preparing buffers compatible with biological fluids, serving as a standard pH solution, and facilitating various procedures such as lactate dehydrogenase assays, in situ hybridization, and protein extraction from cells. Its versatility extends to applications in cell culture, biochemistry, and molecular biology labs, where it aids in studies related to cell membrane permeability and buffer preparation.