Koch Lab:Protocols/Kinesin/MgCl2

MgCl₂

MgCl₂ is very hygroscopic. This means it really likes to be in water and it will pull moisture from the atmosphere so it can be in it. For this reason, we use a 1 M solution of MgCl₂ already in water supplied to us from Sigma. This way we do not have to fuss around with trying to weigh out an appropriate amount of MgCl₂, since what we weigh would also include water.

MgCl₂ should be stored in its original container at room temperature. You do not have to desiccate it since the MgCl₂ is in solution already.

Finally, never put a manual pipetter into the magnesium chloride container. Always take some out of it with a sterile, individually wrapped aspirating pipet and transfer it to a sterile tube/vial.