A Short Guide on Pipettes
So Many Choices
There are so many options when it comes to choosing a pipette, but we are here to clear up your doubts.
Manual pipettes are highly regarded in laboratory work due to their precision and durability, all at affordable prices. Most manual pipettes are fully autoclavable and easy to clean, ensuring proper hygiene and reusability. For those seeking a more modern approach, electronic pipettes offer an excellent alternative. These pipettes boast superior ergonomics and increased reliability, making them ideal for situations where repetitive pipetting tasks are abundant. The electronic functionality streamlines liquid handling, saving valuable time and effort during experiments. Whether you opt for manual or electronic pipettes, both options cater to different laboratory needs, providing accurate and efficient liquid transfer solutions. With their unmatched versatility, pipettes remain essential tools that significantly contribute to the success and progress of scientific research and experiments.
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Multichannel pipettes play a crucial role in high-throughput laboratory applications, including PCR, ELISA, and cell culture techniques. These pipettes enable simultaneous transfer of liquids to multiple channels, typically available in configurations of x8, x12, or x16 channels. The efficiency of multichannel pipettes makes them indispensable for speeding up workflows and reducing repetitive pipetting steps.
Certain models offer adjustable tip spacing to accommodate various plate formats or specific applications, providing added versatility and adaptability. These pipettes are available in both manual and electronic versions, with the electronic variants offering the highest level of efficiency and precision.
In high-volume experiments or assays requiring repetitive liquid transfers, multichannel pipettes significantly improve productivity and accuracy. They are an invaluable asset for laboratories seeking to enhance throughput while maintaining consistent and reliable results across multiple samples.
Positive displacement pipettes offer precise and leak-free handling of challenging liquids, such as viscous, volatile, or hazardous substances. This advanced pipetting technology is particularly useful for applications where standard air-displacement pipettes may encounter difficulties. Positive displacement pipettes work by using a disposable piston that makes direct contact with the liquid, preventing any air from entering the pipette. As a result, the risk of contamination or loss due to sample retention is significantly reduced.
This technology is commonly employed in repeating pipettes, which enable the direct distribution of liquids from a dispenser tip, streamlining repetitive tasks and improving workflow efficiency. The ability to accurately dispense difficult-to-handle liquids makes positive displacement pipettes a valuable tool in various research areas, including molecular biology, genomics, and pharmaceutical applications. Their precision, reliability, and versatility make them an indispensable asset for scientists working with challenging liquid samples.
For optimal performance and longevity of your pipettes, it is crucial to follow certain measures, although consulting the user manual remains essential. Ensuring maximum accuracy and precision involves maintaining cleanliness inside and outside the pipette. Prevent any liquid contact with surfaces other than the tip and avoid tilting the pipette horizontally to prevent piston soaking. Proper storage in the correct rack, in a vertical position, is imperative.
Regular cleaning and calibration are paramount, with different products requiring specific care. Trusted brands often offer maintenance and calibration assistance, accessible through their websites. Confirm the availability of these services in your country by visiting the brand's website.
By adhering to these practices, you can extend the life of your pipettes and ensure they continue delivering accurate and reliable results in the laboratory.
Which pipette is the most accurate?
Improving pipette accuracy is crucial to ensuring reliable and precise results in the laboratory. Here are some steps you can take to enhance the accuracy of your pipettes:
- Regular calibration: Regularly calibrate your pipettes following the manufacturer's guidelines or your lab's standard operating procedures. Calibration ensures that the pipette is dispensing the correct volume accurately.
- Proper technique: Train users in proper pipetting technique, including smooth plunger operation, maintaining the pipette in a vertical position during aspiration and dispensing, and avoiding rapid release of the plunger to prevent aerosols.
- Use correct pipette tips: Always use the appropriate pipette tips that are compatible with your pipette model. Using incorrect or worn-out tips can lead to inaccuracies in volume delivery.
- Pre-wet pipette tips: Before pipetting, pre-wet the tip by aspirating and dispensing the liquid without touching the sides of the container. This step ensures accurate volume delivery and reduces sample loss.
- Avoid over-pipetting and under-pipetting: Ensure that the pipette is set to the correct volume for your application, avoiding both over-pipetting and under-pipetting, which can impact accuracy.
- Keep pipettes clean: Regularly clean and maintain your pipettes to avoid residue buildup that could affect accuracy. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning and maintenance.
- Work in controlled environments: Pipette in a stable, controlled environment, free from temperature fluctuations or air drafts that could affect the accuracy of the delivered volume.
- Quality Pipette Tips: Use high-quality pipette tips that fit securely and do not contribute to variations in volume delivery.
By implementing these best practices, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your pipettes, leading to more reliable and reproducible results in your experiments.
