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| Name | EGTA for Molecular Biology |
| Supplier | Thermo Fisher Scientific |
| Catalog Number | 15575-038 |
| Form | Powder |
| Purity | ≥98% |
| Molecular Weight | 380.35 g/mol |
| Solubility | Soluble in water |
| Storage Conditions | Store at room temperature |
| Applications | Chelating agent for divalent cations |
| Usage | Commonly used in molecular biology experiments |
| Shelf Life | 2 years |
| CAS Number | 67-42-5 |
FAQ
What is EGTA and how is it used in molecular biology?
EGTA, or ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, is a chelating agent commonly used in molecular biology to sequester divalent cations such as calcium and magnesium. This helps to prevent enzymatic activity that requires these cations and is thus commonly used in experiments where cation levels need to be controlled.
How does EGTA work as a chelating agent?
EGTA works as a chelating agent by forming stable complexes with divalent cations, such as calcium and magnesium, through coordination bonds. This effectively sequesters the cations and prevents them from interfering with enzymatic reactions that require their presence. By chelating these cations, EGTA helps researchers control the conditions of their molecular biology experiments more precisely.
What are some common applications of EGTA in molecular biology?
EGTA is commonly used in a variety of molecular biology techniques, such as cell culture, enzyme assays, and protein purification. In cell culture, EGTA can be used to chelate calcium and prevent cell adhesion and attachment, which is useful in experiments where cell migration or extracellular matrix interactions need to be studied. In enzyme assays, EGTA can help control the activity of enzymes that are sensitive to calcium or magnesium levels. Additionally, in protein purification, EGTA can be used to eliminate metal ion contaminants that may interfere with downstream applications.
How is EGTA typically used in cell culture experiments?
In cell culture experiments, EGTA is often added to the culture medium to chelate calcium and prevent cell adhesion and attachment. This can be particularly useful when studying processes such as cell migration, where the effects of cell-substrate interactions need to be minimized. By adding EGTA to the culture medium, researchers can control the conditions under which cells are grown and study specific cellular behaviors in a more controlled environment.
What are the advantages of using EGTA in molecular biology experiments?
Using EGTA in molecular biology experiments offers several advantages. One of the main advantages is the ability to control the levels of divalent cations, such as calcium and magnesium, in the experimental system. This can be critical for studying enzymatic reactions, cell signaling pathways, and other biological processes that are sensitive to cation concentrations. Additionally, EGTA is a relatively gentle chelating agent that does not interfere with other aspects of the experimental system, making it a versatile tool for researchers working in the field of molecular biology.
EGTA, or ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, is a chelating agent commonly used in molecular biology to sequester divalent cations such as calcium and magnesium. This helps to prevent enzymatic activity that requires these cations and is thus commonly used in experiments where cation levels need to be controlled.
How does EGTA work as a chelating agent?
EGTA works as a chelating agent by forming stable complexes with divalent cations, such as calcium and magnesium, through coordination bonds. This effectively sequesters the cations and prevents them from interfering with enzymatic reactions that require their presence. By chelating these cations, EGTA helps researchers control the conditions of their molecular biology experiments more precisely.
What are some common applications of EGTA in molecular biology?
EGTA is commonly used in a variety of molecular biology techniques, such as cell culture, enzyme assays, and protein purification. In cell culture, EGTA can be used to chelate calcium and prevent cell adhesion and attachment, which is useful in experiments where cell migration or extracellular matrix interactions need to be studied. In enzyme assays, EGTA can help control the activity of enzymes that are sensitive to calcium or magnesium levels. Additionally, in protein purification, EGTA can be used to eliminate metal ion contaminants that may interfere with downstream applications.
How is EGTA typically used in cell culture experiments?
In cell culture experiments, EGTA is often added to the culture medium to chelate calcium and prevent cell adhesion and attachment. This can be particularly useful when studying processes such as cell migration, where the effects of cell-substrate interactions need to be minimized. By adding EGTA to the culture medium, researchers can control the conditions under which cells are grown and study specific cellular behaviors in a more controlled environment.
What are the advantages of using EGTA in molecular biology experiments?
Using EGTA in molecular biology experiments offers several advantages. One of the main advantages is the ability to control the levels of divalent cations, such as calcium and magnesium, in the experimental system. This can be critical for studying enzymatic reactions, cell signaling pathways, and other biological processes that are sensitive to cation concentrations. Additionally, EGTA is a relatively gentle chelating agent that does not interfere with other aspects of the experimental system, making it a versatile tool for researchers working in the field of molecular biology.
