QGel™ provides QGel™ Buffer A (0.3M HEPES solution) with a pH of 7.9 ± 0.1. At this pH, working time with the liquid solution before a gel starts forming is 5-10 minutes. Indeed, the reaction kinetics is pH-dependent: the higher the pH, the faster gelation occurs. Please refer to the certificate of analysis of a specific batch of QGel™ MT 3D Matrix for more precise information about gelation time. However, the very exact gelation time depends on your experimental conditions.

If your experiments require longer or shorter gelation times, you can make up your own reaction buffer by altering the pH (higher pH for faster, lower pH for slower). pH sensitivity of the gelation can be seen in the following publication: Lutolf M, Biomacromolecules, 2003. Please note that modification of the recommended protocol may alter final gel properties. Therefore, in this case, it is your responsibility to ensure reproducibility of your protocol.