The conjugation and modification reactions used to cross-link proteins or couple labels to proteins, such as biotin, enzymes, and fluorescent dyes, require certain conditions, including pH and chemical composition, for optimal conjugation

G-Biosciences has prepared six reaction-specific buffers that provide the optimal conditions for protein labeling, modification, and cross reaction. Optimizer Buffer™ -I is free of amines and is specific for amine reactive groups, such as imidoesters and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters. Optimizer Buffer™-II has a high pH and is specifically designed for the sulfhydryl reactive haloacetyls, such as iodoacetyl. Optimizer Buffer™-III is designed for sulfhydryl reactive groups, maleimides and pyridyl disulfides, and has reagents that prevent oxidation of free sulfhydryls. Optimizer Buffer™-IV is designed to provide the optimal conditions necessary for carboxyl reactive reagents. Optimizer Buffer™-V is a modified acetate buffer that is specific for carbohydrate reactive groups. Optimizer Buffer™-VI is an alkaline buffer specific for the formation of Schiff’s base between amines and glyoxal groups.

G-Biosciences' buffers contain optimized concentrations of buffering agents, pH and other cofactors for specific reactions. Simply exchange the buffer of your sample with a suitable Optimizer Buffer™, and you are ready for efficient reaction. Use of G-Biosciences' SpinOUT™ or Tube-O-DIALYZER™ is recommended for buffer exchange and optimal reaction results. Each Optimizer Buffer™ is supplied as a 5X concentrated buffer.

Many common buffers routinely used in laboratories have an inhibitory effect on conjugation reactions; for example, Tris buffers inhibit coupling to amines.