Shipping, storing, and handling of polymerases

Takara Bio's PCR polymerases are shipped on dry ice. All enzymes shipped on dry ice will be frozen, but this freezing process is gradual and one freeze-thaw cycle will not reduce enzyme activity. Before opening a new tube of enzyme, spin it briefly to collect the contents at the bottom of the tube.

Polymerases should be stored at –20°C in a non-frost-free freezer (an acceptable range is between –15°C and –23°C). Long-term storage (longer than a week) at –70°C or –80°C is not recommended. Enzymes should never be allowed to reach room temperature.

Lyophilized PCR premixes, sealed in the original foil pouch, should be stored at room temperature (20–22°C). Any unused product should also be stored at room temperature (20–22°C), either in the original foil pouch re-sealed with desiccant, or in a desiccator.

To avoid contamination, gloves should be worn when handling enzyme tubes, and fingers should be kept away from the tube opening. It is imperative to use a new, clean pipette tip every time you draw from a stock tube of enzyme.

When pipetting enzyme from a stock tube, place the end of the tip just far enough into the liquid to obtain the desired volume. A pipette tip should not be plunged all the way into the enzyme solution as the outside of the tip will become covered with enzyme, preventing accurate measurement and wasting enzyme.

Note: The retention of liquids to polypropylene tips varies with different types of solutions. Pipette tips lose their precision when liquid is drawn more than once. Low-retention pipette tips are recommended for use with viscous solutions, such as those containing glycerol.