Merck, T6791-1KG, Trizma® base

Tris base, also referred as THAM or Trizma® base, plays a vital role in various research applications as a biological buffer. It is commonly employed in buffer formulations like TAE and TBE buffers, thanks to its pKa of 8.06, which makes it suitable for maintaining pH within the physiological range (pH 7.0-9.0) for most living organisms. However, it is important to exercise caution when studying proteins, as Tris may interfere with the activity of certain enzymes. This versatile compound is indispensable in laboratories, where it is utilized to prepare buffers compatible with biological fluids, serve as a standard pH solution, and facilitate procedures such as lactate dehydrogenase assays, in situ hybridization, and protein extraction from cells. Moreover, Tris base finds applications in biochemistry and molecular biology labs aiding in cell membrane permeability studies and buffer preparation.