Top 10 Tips for Using Pipettes in the Lab

There is no doubt that the pipette is one of the most important tools in biological research. They come in a variety of designs and are used in countless fields of research. While many liquid handling guidelines emphasize the importance of pipette maintenance, pipette skill is just as important. Below, we share some pipette usage methods, top 10 pipetting tips to improve your pipetting skills.

1. Select the appropriate pipette gun and tip: the match between the pipette gun and the pipette tip is the key to the accuracy of pipetting. If the tip and pipette do not match, or use poor quality tips, it may affect the sealing performance between the tip and the pipette. Good pipette tips ensure a proper seal, minimizing sample loss due to leaks.

2. Properly calibrate the pipette according to the density of the liquid: If the density of the liquid differs greatly from that of water, please recalibrate the pipette. If you are pipetting viscous liquids, be sure to pipette at a slower speed and work in reverse pipette mode. When pipetting volatile liquids, pipette quickly and use reverse pipette mode.

3. Pre-wet the tip: To reduce the loss of liquid hanging on the wall, pre-wet the tip at least 3 times. This method of wetting helps to establish a temperature balance and brings humidity into the dry space inside the tip. Skipping this step may affect the accuracy of the dispensed volume due to evaporation or liquid retention.

4. Proper aspiration: Immerse the tip below the surface of the liquid. When absorbing liquid, the tip should not be immersed in the liquid too deeply, and the residence time in the liquid should be about 1S, because immersion too shallow or too deep may lead to inaccurate liquid absorption.

5. Pause after each puff: A slow, even, and sudden release helps reduce errors. Especially important when dealing with viscous liquids. If possible, try to hold the pause for a second or two after each puff to allow the liquid to level in the tip.

6. When using the pipette, you also need to pay attention to the inclination angle of the pipette: At the same time, pay attention to the inclination angle of the pipette during operation, try to ensure vertical suction, and keep the inclination angle range not greater than 20°. When aspirating, try not to touch the container wall with the tip, especially when dealing with small samples.

7. Get to the right gear: Use a consistent and steady speed and pressure when handling pipettes and samples. In the design of Rainin pipettes, in order to ensure the accuracy of pipetting, two gears, first gear and second gear, are set. You can choose the appropriate gear for pipetting operation according to your experiment and usage habits.

8. Be mindful of temperature: If your experiment allows, make sure pipettes, tips, and liquids are at room temperature. Changes in temperature, changes in air pressure can also cause the air inside the pipette tip to contract or expand, which can affect the accuracy of the dispensed liquid. Also, try to avoid overhandling pipettes and tips, as your body temperature may also affect the amount of liquid dispensed. After the pipetting operation is completed, it can be placed on the pipette stand, and it should not be placed on the laboratory table at will.

9. Do a good job in daily maintenance and maintenance: Instrument calibration and daily maintenance are also effective means to prolong the life of the pipette, so it is recommended to clean and maintain the pipette on a weekly or monthly basis, and calibrate it regularly to improve its accuracy.

10. Develop good pipette operation habits: The development of pipette operation habits is often overlooked. Such habits include not only the correct and skilled pipette gun use skills but also the posture of pipetting experiments. If the pipetting posture Incorrect, long-term repeated operations may put your muscles in a state of tension or even muscle strain. To solve this problem, you can choose a pipette that conforms to ergonomics and develop good pipetting habits.