Reverse transcriptase mixtures with improved storage stability

A sterile aqueous reaction mixture comprising sufficient ingredients, except template RNA, for reverse transcription of RNA, the mixture comprising:

• a reverse transcriptase having an optimal pH above 8;
• deoxytriphosphate nucleotides;
• and
• a buffer, wherein the buffer is selected from the group consisting of Tris, HEPES, ACES, PIPES, MOPSO, BES, MOPS, TES, TAPSO, POPSO, BICINE, TAPS, and AMPSO,
• wherein said sterile aqueous reaction mixture has a pH of between 6-8
• and lacks template RNA.