A1: The Crimson Taq formulation offers three convenient features. First, the 5X Crimson Taq (Mg-free) Reaction Buffer contains a red dye, which serves as a visual indicator of homogeneous reaction setup. Second, the 5X (Mg-free) Reaction Buffer contains a density reagent Dextran, which allows direct loading of PCR products on a gel. Third, the trace amount of red dye in Crimson Taq (Mg-free) Reaction Buffer works as a gel tracking dye (about 10 bp) during electrophoresis.
If the PCR products will be analyzed by absorbance or fluorescence excitation, acid red (λmax= 510 nm) may interfere with the assay; therefore Standard Taq Reaction Buffer is recommended.
Q2: Does the 5X Crimson Taq (Mg-free) Reaction Buffer offer amplification efficiency similar to that of Standard Taq Reaction Buffer or ThermoPol Reaction Buffer?
A2: Yes.
Q3: Can the PCR product be used directly in T/A cloning?
A3: Yes. PCR products can be directly ligated to dT/dU-vectors and then transformed directly into host cells.
Q4: How do I remove the dye and Dextran from my PCR reactions using Crimson Taq (Mg-free)Reaction Buffer?
A4: Spin columns for PCR clean-up can be used to remove both the dye and Dextran.
Q5: How long is the Crimson Taq Reaction buffer stable in non-optimal storage conditions?
A5: The buffer is best stored at -20°C, but full activity is retained in buffer that is stored at 4°C for two weeks. Storage at room temperature is not recommended for more than 4 days.
