TBE (Tris-Borate-EDTA) has applications in DNA and RNA agarose gel electrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

TBE has a higher buffering capacity than Tris-Acetate-EDTA (TAE) buffer, but the latter is more suitable for steps involving the action of enzymes on nucleic acids because borate is an enzymatic inhibitor. Electrophoresis using TBE-containing agarose gels and TBE running buffer is much more suitable for size analysis of the nucleic acids being separated, as TBE buffer allows these nucleic acids to better maintain their structural integrity.