EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a polyamino carboxylic acid. When in water, It is a useful chelating agent due to its ability to sequester metal ions. EDTA solutions are able to limit, reduce or eliminate various undesirable effects in molecular biological and cell culture processes due to the presence of these metal. After being bound by EDTA, these metal ions remain in the solution but exhibit diminished reactivity. The use of EDTA solutions allow for greater experimental control.