❱

Questions to Ask When

Buying Pipettes

❱ A Guide to Proper Pipetting

❱ An Overview of Pipette
Ergonomics

❱ The Impact of Pipette

Tip Design

❱ Benefits of Electronic and

Connected Pipettes

❱ Tips for Low Volume Pipetting

❱ Picking the Best Serological

Pipette Control

PIPETTE
RESOURCE GUIDE
 Pipette Resource Guide
Questions to
Ask When
Buying Pipettes
Pipettes are an essential liquid handling tool in any lab. From
basic micropipettes to electronic pipettes, there are a variety
of types and volume ranges available to fit your exact needs.
Advancements in technology have helped improve the accu-
racy and reproducibility of pipetting instruments. However,
proper use and maintenance are still vital to getting the most
out of your pipette.
6 Questions to Ask When Buying a Pipette:
1. Is the pipette ergonomic and comfortable to use?
2. How easy is it to change the volume and is there a lock to
prevent you from changing it accidentally?
3. What volume ranges will you need for your application?
4. What throughput do you require, and would a
multi-channel pipette improve your efficiency?
5. How complex are your protocols, and would an electronic
pipette help you follow them?
6. What maintenance and calibration options are available
from the manufacturer?
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Purchasing Tip
When evaluating pipette options, consider
the benefits of a connected pipette. A
connected pipette communicates wirelessly
with an operating system that can remotely
program the device. By moving to connected
pipettes, scientists reap a list of benefits, such
as a reduction in human error, increased
traceability, and faster workflow.
Safety Tip
Using pipettes for long hours is associated
with an increased risk of hand and shoulder
ailments. To prevent strain or injuries, ensure
that your wrist is relaxed—not extended,
flexed, or rotated. Also, use an adjustable chair
to achieve a good working posture that allows
your feet to rest on the floor and provides
enough leg space under the work surface.
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 Pipette Resource Guide
A Guide to
Proper Pipetting
Following these guidelines can improve the
accuracy of manual liquid handling
by Mike May, PhD
Like a chef using a knife, a scientist needs pipetting skills.
A seasoned chef may be able to cut a carrot into ribbons,
seemingly without a thought, but it never hurts to keep some
pipetting guidelines in mind—no matter how experienced
the scientist. The right technique is key when manually dis-
pensing liquid. Some of the most common pipetting errors are
related to careless use of the pipette tips, inconsistent rhythm
or timing, and improper pipette handling.
Sometimes, a scientist even selects the wrong pipette. For
example, scientists might be using the incorrect volume
pipette for a specific task or using an air-displacement pipette
to handle non-aqueous liquid. With viscous fluids, a posi-
tive-displacement pipette should always be used.
Before getting to specific pipetting procedures, some general
concepts should be considered. Prior to starting any exper-
iments, a pipette user should consider what they are doing,
what liquids they will be working with, and what throughput
they need with their pipette. By planning ahead and looking
at the tools available to them, a user might get a better idea
of what existing pipettes will be optimal for their assays and
which they need to purchase.
The features available in today’s pipettes extend beyond the
device itself. Advances in liquid handling have made it possi-
ble for users to connect their pipette to the cloud. With this
Lab Manager
connectivity, a user can download protocols or create custom
ones. Pipetting data can even be captured in the cloud, which
is one way to identify any missteps and enhance the pipet-
ting process, especially by tracking the ongoing accuracy, or
lack of it.
With the right equipment in hand, the next challenge is get-
ting the steps right.
An electronic pipette automates some of these steps. Elec-
tronic pipettes typically feature a digital display to adjust vol-
ume and a motorized piston for aspiration and dispensing that
effectively does all the work. These pipettes also come with
useful preset programs and custom modes where researchers
can quickly create their own protocols.
Handling gone wrong
Sometimes, seemingly simple steps turn an accurate process
into a mess. In pipetting, it doesn’t take much to make the
results totally unreliable.
Even if an error in use seems small, the impact can be signifi-
cant. If the tip is not seated properly, for example, leaking can
reduce pipetting accuracy by 0.5 percent to 50 percent.
Following the basic steps to accurate pipetting goes a long
way toward improving the process and the results, but a few
more advanced tips should also be followed. For example,
pre-rinsing tips can increase the uniformity of volumes aspi-
rated and dispensed. Even the method of adjusting a pipette
can matter. It is recommended that volumes be set through a
clockwise adjustment for improved precision.
Beyond the tools and techniques, it’s just as important to
keep the user properly “tuned.” The process of pipetting
takes a toll on mind and body. Pipetting ergonomics
can play a big role in accuracy. So, a scientist should do
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 Pipette Resource Guide

everything possible to make the experience as pleasant and Given the amount of pipetting done in modern labs,
comfortable as possible. investing in tools and techniques makes as much sense as
does a chef buying an amazing knife, keeping it sharp, and
Plus, taking a break makes a real difference. Scientists should using it properly.
let go of the pipette from time to time and step away. In
cases where large amounts of pipetting are required, such as
repetitive processes in microplates, purchasing an electronic
multichannel pipette could be worth the investment.

Steps to success

With an air-displacement pipette, the following steps increase the likelihood of accurately and repeatedly
measuring a specific volume:

• Set the volume on the pipette • Put the pipette—held at 10–45 degrees—
against the wall of the receiving chamber, and
• Depress the plunger
smoothly depress the plunger to the first stop
• Immerse the tip to the correct depth, which can
• Wait one second and then depress the plunger
vary by the pipette and tip, and smoothly let the
to the second stop
plunger go to its resting position
• Slide the tip up the vessel wall to remove
• Wait about one second for the liquid to flow
the Pipette
into the tip
• Allow the plunger to return to its rest position

Lab Manager 4
 Pipette Resource Guide
An Overview
of Pipette
Ergonomics
Improve pipetting accuracy and reduce workplace
injury with ergonomic considerations
by Lab Manager
Pipetting is an activity many perform, yet few consider the
ergonomics of. Operators often pipette hazardous and/or ex-
pensive materials that require extreme accuracy and precision
with a high cost of failure. It’s unsurprising that operators
concentrate primarily on the activity itself rather than their
own posture or comfort. It is a highly repetitive task typically
requiring considerable hand/thumb force, however, and con-
stitutes a high risk for repetitive strain injuries to hands and
shoulders. Pain and injury have been associated with as little
as one hour of pipetting a day. It is particularly important to
consider safe pipetting practices and habits in light of the risks
inherent in working with hazardous samples and reagents.
Fortunately, literature and design have focused on the ergo-
nomics of pipette use for more than 20 years and there are mul-
tiple ergonomic styles and features on the market. Combining
ergonomic features with best practices can greatly reduce the
associated risks. Here we will look at proper ergonomic posture
and practice followed by favorable design features.
The importance of posture, form, and
varying tasks
Maintaining good posture and form while pipetting is critical
to reducing the risk of pain and injury. Lateral epicondylitis
Lab Manager
(tennis elbow), carpal tunnel syndrome, and neck, shoulder,
and wrist pain can all be mitigated by maintaining appropri-
ate posture and form. Key themes are minimizing strain on
muscles, ligaments, and tendons through an appropriate work
height and minimal reaching, lifting, and twisting.
1. Proper working height is important whether sit-
ting or standing.
• Too low—the person will hunch over and strain the
back and neck.
• Too high—raised shoulders and arms will add
excessive strain.
• Avoid lifting objects to work at eye level.
2. Shoulders should be in line with hips, and the head should
be straight above the shoulders.
3. Keep elbows next to and in line with the body as
much as possible.
• Try not to extend elbows while reaching or rest
them on hard surfaces.
• Arrange the required materials and devices on your
workstation to minimize reaching.
4. The wrist should be relaxed—not extended,
flexed, or rotated.
5. Use a suitable chair for longer hours of pipetting.
• Ensure enough leg space to allow the person to sit
close to the work.
• The chair should be adjustable for proper work-
ing height.
• Feet should rest comfortably on the floor below the
knees. If necessary, use a footrest.
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 Pipette Resource Guide
6. If standing, use a cushioned floor mat.
7. Avoid as much awkward stretching, twisting, or bending as
possible while working. This may require new equipment
or creative workspace solutions.
Pipetting is by nature a repetitive task. Breaking up long
sessions with short breaks or task changes will help reduce
adverse effects. Frequent breaks are more effective than work-
ing for longer hours and taking a longer break. When starting
or pausing for a break, take a moment to check and correct
posture. Intersperse cognitive tasks or alternate between tasks
that use different muscles or postures whenever possible.
The designs that make it easier
Ergonomically designed pipettes not only potentially
decrease costs associated with workplace injuries, they also
improve accuracy and performance by reducing fatigue-driv-
en mistakes. Choosing the right pipette for the user and the
task is important. Consider the type of task, length of time
pipetting, volume, and workspace design and environment
when selecting appropriate styles and features.
Ergonomic pipettes can reduce risk of thumb tenosynovitis
and hand, wrist, and shoulder pain and injury. Generally,
pipettes should be lightweight, comfortable to grip, and allow
for neutral position of hand and wrist. They should require
minimal force to operate and minimize any contact stresses.
In addition to choosing ergonomic design options, labs can
minimize the repetition and force associated with pipetting
by using multichannel pipettes, electronic pipettes, or even
automated liquid handlers.
Features to
GOOD
look for:
Lightweight with a finger hook
Grip
to allow for a lighter grip
Plungers with low spring pressure
Plunger
and minimal travel distance
Thumb or finger wheel
Volume Adjuster volume adjusters in place
of twisting the plunger
Easy tip loading and ejection
Load/Eject
with properly fitting tips
Body Contoured pipette body for grip
Multichannel pipettes to Electronic single- or multi-channel
Efficiency
reduce repetition pipettes to eliminate dispensing force.
Suitable for both right-
Handedness
and left-handed use
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Side-angled pipettes—rather than straight vertical mod-
els—reduce twisting while pipetting in low profile containers.
These also substantially lower working height, making them a
great option for fume hood tasks as well.
Good electronic pipette models will offer multiple pipetting
speeds and functions. Adjustable speeds increase accuracy in
pipetting different viscosities and precision in sensitive sep-
arations or extractions. Functions can cover a wide range of
typical pipetting activities, including stepper pipetting, mix-
ing, diluting, or reverse pipetting. Be sure to consider weight
of electronic pipettes—they require less effort to operate but
are often heavier and may increase strain or fatigue over long
periods. To fully eliminate thumb strain, their circumference
needs to be properly sized as well.
Additional useful features when purchasing pipettes include
easy, in-lab calibration and maintenance and autoclavable
lower halves (tip cones). Pipettes need regular cleaning and
sterilization and must be disassembled. They must be reca-
librated after every cleaning/assembly. Being able to do so
in-house offers labs convenience and cost savings.
If your lab—or group of collaborative labs—has the volume
to justify the added expense, consider an automated liquid
handler. These platforms are fantastic productivity aids, free-
ing up trained staff to focus on more engaging, bigger picture
items like research questions, reviews, revising protocols, and
problem-solving. They can reduce human error—offering
more consistent results—while simultaneously improving
employee satisfaction and retention.
BETTER BEST
Properly sized. Hands should cover
Adjustable finger hooks
more than 50 and less than 100
for a customized fit
percent of the circumference
Magnetic latch to help keep the
Finger trigger in place of plunger.
plunger in place while pipetting
Soft-touch finger adjustments
-
for volume
Click-in tip loading and/or
Electronic tip ejection
spring-assisted tip ejection
Rotatable handle -
-
- -
6
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The D-ONE single channel pipetting module offers
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the possibilities of multichannel pipetting to access
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LEARN MORE
 Pipette Resource Guide
The Impact
of Pipette Tip
Design
Pipette tips represent intricate engineering that is
critical to accuracy and mitigating contamination
risk in pipetting
by Angelo DePalma, PhD and Rachel Brown, MSc
Pipette tips appear to be technically simple, almost commod-
itized, yet their design and manufacture require significant
thought and engineering. Pipetting accuracy is reliant on the
sophisticated design of tips.
Some liquid handling applications demand purpose-driven
pipette tips with features like low retention or binding, used
for high-viscosity liquids containing sugars or glycerin or
highly concentrated salts.
Exquisite engineering notwithstanding, no pipetting system
performs reliably if the tip discharges contaminants during
operation. Slip agents, which are chemicals employed during
the manufacture of injection-molded plastic parts to en-
hance manufacturability, are one potential contamination
source. Tips not manufactured under pristine conditions and
thoroughly inspected may harbor adventitious biological or
chemical contaminants as well. For plastics, of which tips are
made, leachables and extractables may affect data fidelity and
experimental results in insidious ways if they are not well
formulated. Buffers, salts, acids, bases, and organic chemical
constituents may initiate leaching of residual monomers,
polymerization agents, or even metals.
Lab Manager
Minimum compositional requirements should therefore
include inert polymers that withstand chemical challenges,
gamma- and electron beam-radiation, and autoclaving. Tip
polypropylene should possess sufficient clarity to allow sam-
ple visualization, and sufficient suppleness to facilitate accu-
rate touch-off during dispensing. With typical draw/dispense
volumes in the microliter range, molding quality, physical
integrity, and uniformity become critical for accurate, repro-
ducible liquid movement within the pipette tip.
Margin of error
For pipette tips, fit dictates function. Some manufacturers in-
corporate specific design elements to mitigate tips loosening,
leaking, and falling off, like a stop that helps ensure pipette
tips load to exactly the same height. Generic tips expand
when loaded and fall off to return to their original shape.
Tip height is critical, particularly in multichannel pipettes
and devices where 96 or 384 tips are expected to draw and
deliver precisely the same volume. Tips seated too high on
a pipette tip fitting may not reach fluid level and thereby
aspirate air. Failing to make contact when touching off during
dispensing causes liquid to remain within the tip. Affected
wells become dead points.
These problems are magnified with today’s ultralow-volume
pipetting. The volumetric margin of error shrinks when
dispensing 0.2 microliters compared with 500 microliters.
When the pipetted volume consists only of a small droplet,
the liquid will not be transferred from all tips if they are not
perfectly straight and aligned.
Contamination and carryover
Contamination and cross-contamination are perennial issues
in pipetting. Aerosols of the pipetted liquid are formed during
aspiration. Absent some sort of barrier, aerosols enter the
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 Pipette Resource Guide
pipette, remain inside, and carry over to subsequent samples.
Cross-contamination occurs as previously aspirated air is
dispensed along with the sample.
Many highly sensitive reactions will yield erroneous results
in the presence of contaminants, for example, polymerase
chain reaction (PCR). The list of PCR inhibitors is long: bile
salts, urea, and calcium ions, to name a few.
Filtered pipette tips prevent aerosols from reaching the in-
nards of the pipette and carrying over to the next liquid trans-
fer. Several filter and barrier designs are available, constructed
from different materials and each with specific effectiveness
related to contamination control. For example, self-sealing
barriers prevent liquids in addition to aerosols from entering
the pipette.
Filter tips are commonly used in many applications to mit-
igate contamination. DNA/RNA applications often employ
these tips to help prevent introduction of DNases and RNas-
es, enzymes that hydrolyze nucleic acids, and sample-to-sam-
ple cross-contamination. They can also protect against
contamination of cultured cells in labs that work with viruses.
Filter tips are additionally appropriate for manipulation of ra-
dioisotopes, which many labs still use due to legacy methods
or the unavailability of appropriate fluorescent labels. Anyone
who has ever worked with radionucleotides recognizes how
easily surfaces—even those that seemingly do not come into
contact with radioactive materials—become “hot.” Counts
transferred from one experiment or process to another are
result-destroyers.
Protect the pipette
In a filter-fitted tip, a barrier exists between the nose cone of
the pipette and the liquid draw region of the tip. The design
must allow airflow, however, or aspiration will not occur.
The filter catches aerosolized particles like aqueous droplets,
Lab Manager
DNA, or virus particles. Tips are mostly made of polypropyl-
ene, but filter composition varies among manufacturers.
Filter and barrier tips cost more than their unmodified
counterparts based on materials, design, and manufacturing.
The increment is small, however, compared with the cost of
reagents, buffers, time, and labor associated with rework due
to contamination or pipette repair or replacement. These
factors alone justify the use of barrier tips.
Aerosols and liquids introduced through over-pipetting can
eventually cause corrosion or compromise seals. This is more
likely to occur over time if the user fails to clean and service
the pipette periodically and leads to physical deterioration
and loss of accuracy.
The degree of protection depends on the filter/barrier type.
Standard filter tips provide aerosol protection but allow
samples to draw beyond the barrier if liquid is accidently
over-pipetted. Some barrier tips seal off on contact with liquid
to prevent liquid from rising above the barrier.
Customization is rare in the pipette tip world outside of
packaging. Tips normally come in a rack of 96 but customers
sometimes ask for packages of ten or 20, or even individually
packaged tips. These are useful for clean room processes
where workers bring in only the materials and equipment
they need. Over the years, manufacturers of pipettes and
pipette tips have improved products to make manual liquid
handling easier and more ergonomic. While welcome, inno-
vation has produced a somewhat chaotic marketplace.
An ISO standard, 8655-2 recommends that customers should
use pipettes and tips from the same manufacturer, even for
“open system” products. No industry standards exist for
dimensions of nose cones or tips drawing specific volumes.
Pipettes are calibrated by the manufacturer for use with that
manufacturer’s tips and may need recalibration for use with
different tips.
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 Pipette Resource Guide
Benefits of
Electronic and
Connected
Pipettes
Electronic pipettes are the preferred solution
for efficiency, consistency, and reliability—
adding wireless communication changes a lab’s
liquid handling
by Mike May, PhD and Brandoch Cook, PhD
The success of the Human Genome Project, and the rise
of deep sequencing platforms, spurred companies to begin
introducing electronic pipettes. Now, many laboratories have
a range of pipetting options, with electronic repeater and
multichannel pipettes and full series of manual pipettes.
Electronic pipettes contain a motor to precisely regulate
aspiration and dispensing rates, which reduces air bubbles
and barrel contamination. Moreover, repeater pipettes reduce
measurement error in experiments with many samples and
replicates. Push-button functionality provides an ergonom-
ic advantage, avoiding mechanical wear associated with
force-dependent actions like tip ejection, and eliminating
laboratory casualties like pipette thumb.
Electronic pipettes are often programmable, allow storage
and modification of protocols, save on overall tip usage, and
drive greater efficiency in experimental setup. Although
electronic pipettes are usually two to three times the price of
Lab Manager
manual ones, the increased accuracy, efficiency, and confi-
dence in results, are well worth it.
Several providers have taken the technology a step further
and created linked smart pipetting systems.
Connected pipettes
Pipettes can make up a key component in a connected lab. A
connected pipette communicates wirelessly with an operating
system that can remotely program the device. By moving to
connected pipettes, scientists reap a list of benefits to help
them be more efficient and effective.
One of the most powerful advantages of connected pipettes
is the ability to reduce errors. A network can set up the
protocol for a connected pipette, which prevents errors that
can arise when setting it up manually for a specific workflow.
In this case, a user wouldn’t need to try to navigate a tiny
electronic display to select settings, they would be created in
a more user-friendly, desktop method and would be the same
every time.
How a pipette is being used can also be tracked more careful-
ly and completely with connected devices. By recording each
step, the protocol is fully traceable. This recording helps for
both troubleshooting and regulatory oversight.
A lab also saves on labor by using connected pipettes. Instead
of looking at a protocol for setup or next steps, for instance,
the user just follows prompts from the device. So, a user can
run through a workflow more quickly.
Despite many advances in connecting lab devices, scientists
looking to connect pipettes must negotiate some obstacles.
New technology can be daunting for users, but once they are
used it, they will quickly realize the benefits of reduced errors
and increased efficiency.
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 Pipette Resource Guide

Some of the technology behind connected pipettes also poses
some challenges. Some devices may require programming
skills, which is a barrier to the user. However, this issue can be
resolved by selecting a device with an intuitive user interface.
When looking for a connected pipetting system, a scientist
should consider how the device will work with existing work-
flows. It should work seamlessly with labware already being
used and not be locked into add-ons from the vendor.
With an increasing number of connected pipettes and ones
that include more capabilities, scientists will handle liquids
more efficiently and accurately than ever.

Evolution  Guillaume-Francois Rouelle,

of the
Francois Descroizilles

Evolution of
the Pipette
pipette Guillaume
Rouelle
1810
A student of Guillaume-
Francois Rouelle, Francois
Descroizilles, a French applied
chemist is responsible for
several important and useful
inventions including the
alcalimetre, an early precursor
to the pipette.
1824
The pipette is a laboratory Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac,
a French chemist and key

staple with a history figure in the development of

volumetric analysis, coined the
term "pipette" as well as the
extending over two centuries terms "burette" and "titrate" in
a publication on the strength Joseph Louis
of bleaching powder using Gay-Lussac
a solution of indigo to
signify when the reaction
The pipette is a laboratory staple was complete.

with a history extending over two

centuries. Once a simple technology,
scientific demands have driven the
development of this device, resulting
in the highly sophisticated tools we 1860
are familiar with today. 1864
Louis Pasteur establishes
Martin Overlach patented a
syringe that housed a chamber germ theory by discovering
Louis the pathology of puerperal
that didn’t leak; this syringe Pasteur
contained pistons. The syringe fever and the pyogenic vibrio
Learn how silkworms, bicycle did not play a direct role in the
development of the pipette, but
in the blood, as well pebrine—
a serious disease of silkworms.

valves, and milk inspectors the piston action, instrumental Understanding the need to
to the operation of many types of keep everything clean and
syringes, did find early success in germ-free, Pasteur used long,
influenced the shape, form, and shaping the modern pipette thin glass tubes to transfer
fluids. This valuable tool

functionality of today’s modern

became known as the “Pasteur

1889 pipette”, a term still widely

used today.
liquid handing devices. .

1893
The first recorded laboratory
infection due to mouth
pipetting occurred with
the case of a physician who
accidentally sucked a culture

Download the 1903

George Wilson was granted
of typhoid bacilli into
his mouth.

full infographic a patent for a bicycle oiler,

compliments of
Lab Manager
1916
The first patent in the
US Patent office was filed
featuring this schematic.
"especially adapted for use in
connection with the parts of
bicycles." Wilson's oiler featured
a self-closing valve that opened
by way of pushing on a piston
that moved down a cylinder.
At Denmark's Carlsberg
laboratory Kaj Ulrik Linderstrøm–
Lang and Milton Levy, an American
research fellow, were the first to
describe the method for creating

Lab Manager
what became known as the Lang-
11 Levy, or Carlsberg pipette.

1936
1933
Imperial Chemical Industries
 Pipette Resource Guide
Tips for Low
Volume
Pipetting
Accuracy depends on you—know your pipette,
maintain it, and practice good technique
by Angelo DePalma, PhD
Modern biology lab work is increasingly characterized by the
manipulation of very small volumes and quantities of sample.
Several factors explain this trend: high-value samples, the
ability to detect changes accurately in low volumes, and the
continuing replacement of radiolabeling with optical (partic-
ularly fluorescence) techniques that enable multiplexed assays.
The venerable test tube gave way to vials, which have been
replaced, for the most part, by microplates in which microliter
reaction volumes and nanoliter reagent additions are quickly
becoming the norm. Within these tiny volumes, factors like
temperature, pipetting technique, and dispensing accuracy
take on extreme significance.
In a landmark 2007 article in Nature Methods, Frédéric
Millet stressed the importance of allowing samples, pipettes,
and tips to equilibrate to ambient temperature. Millet had
discovered that pipetting cold samples led to inconsistent
volume delivery, which led him to the recommendation that
operators pre-wet the tip before final aspiration/ dispensing,
which “consists in aspirating and dispensing the sample liquid
three or four times before aspirating for sample delivery. This
technique, albeit inappropriate to enhance accuracy, permits
[operators] to obtain a better reproducibility, a key factor
in the most commonly used laboratory protocols involving
repetitive pipetting tasks such as ELISA or PCR.”
Lab Manager
Errors result from the fact that a liquid’s viscosity, and to a
similar degree volume, changes with temperature. If a sample
is very cold, it will be difficult to aspirate micro volumes.
The same goes if room temperature is too cold. For regular
volumes, temperature doesn’t really matter, but for small
volumes it does.
Additional tips for accurate low-volume
pipetting:
• Accuracy depends on you—know your pipette, maintain
it, and practice good technique.
• Consider a positive displacement pipette (vs. an air
displacement model). Air displacement models are prone
to temperature effects as air expands to a greater degree
with temperatures than liquids. Downside: expense due to
replacement of tip and displacement barrel.
• Service pipettes every six to 12 months; check and clean
daily and store them vertically.
• Best practices for pipettes include pipetting with a slow,
smooth action, holding the pipette vertically during draw,
shallow immersion of tips into samples, and pipetting onto
sidewalls or into liquids instead of air.
• Check pipette accuracy on an analytical balance with
liquid masses in the 0.1 g range. Variation greater than 0.5
percent deserves a check of equipment and/or technique.
Keep in mind that analytical balances are far more accu-
rate than any pipette.
• Dispense volumes appropriate for your instrument, but
at the same time use the largest volume possible for your
experiment. For example, consider diluting samples to
deliver the same quantity of reagent in a larger volume.
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 Pipette Resource Guide
Good practice vs. best practice
Pre-wetting serves to condition the inside of the tip to the
properties of the liquid. One common mistake made when
prewetting is not ensuring that the tip is visibly dry before
aspiration. For this reason, it’s important to pre-wet by aspi-
rating two or three times and then dispense completely into
the source so the tip is visibly dry. New tips need not be used
unless cross-contamination is an issue, but when they are,
they should also be pre-wetted.
When installing the pipette tip, try to be consistent. Jamming
the tip can damage it. Note that some pipette manufacturers
have eliminated this variable by engineering spring-loaded tip
cones. With pipettes delivering higher volumes, experts have
observed that installing the tip with greater force can lead to a
higher measured volume.
Experts also recommend holding pipettes at 90 degrees to
the sample during aspiration, and 45 degrees for dispensing.
A 90-degree aspiration is important because pipettes are
made to work with the forces of gravity. You won’t see too
much variation in the measured volume until the aspiration
reaches approximately 60 degrees, but 90 degrees is optimal.
The goal during dispensing is complete voiding of the tip,
which a 45-degree angle facilitates. Precise pipetting depends
upon consistent technique, but accurate pipetting depends
more on correct technique. Combine the two and you have
best practice.
Lab Manager
You should also avoid handling pipettes when they are not in
use, mostly for reasons of temperature control. Data show that
there is a clear change in volume when pipettes are held for
more than two minutes.
Accurate pipetting of very small volumes requires the same
care and best practices users should follow for larger volumes,
but to a greater degree. Users should be aware of the factors
that can influence measurements and must remember the
immutable physical truth that systematic error, which exists
in any measurement, has the potential for greater impact at 5
microliters than at 500 microliters.
Similarly, calibration confers a level of trustworthiness that
is only as good as the calibration method itself, so extra
care must be taken at super-low volumes. For low-volume
instruments, that means comparing results gravimetrically
using a stationary six- or seven-place balance in a con-
trolled environment.
The criticality of pipetting therefore comes into play. Regu-
lated labs require proof-of-calibration testing in the form of
an ISO certificate that their pipettes are performing within
specifications. Unregulated labs do not necessarily have these
requirements but should nevertheless use pipettes that func-
tion correctly and deliver reliable results.
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 Pipette Resource Guide
Picking the Best
Serological
Pipette Control
A tour of the best ways to select a serological
pipette controller
by Mike May, PhD
When pipetting in the milliliter range, scientists often use
a serological pipette and a controller. The controller can
be manual or motorized, and a collection of features can
be considered—some of them depend on personal prefer-
ence. Here is a tour of the best ways to select a serological
pipette controller.
Pick the power
In most cases, scientists likely pick powered over manual in
a controller. If cost is a crucial issue or the amount of pipet-
ting is minimal or even rare, though, a manual controller
might be preferred.
Some lab personnel pipette more in an hour than I did during
my entire time in a lab. These individuals certainly benefit
from a motorized controller. So, after settling on a powered
pipette controller, a crucial feature to look for is the longevity
of battery life. The ability to hold a charge is a key feature
of a serological pipette controller to prevent either endless
frustration or the need for a second pipette controller.
Lab Manager
Find the right fit
Repeated pipetting could be the lab poster child for repetitive
strain injuries. Consequently, comfort is an important con-
sideration when selecting an ergonomic serological pipette
controller. Look at the weight and consult the design criteria
to see if the ergonomics will suit the user.
When in use, the controller should be as easy to operate as
possible. Adjustable speeds help with accuracy of aspiration
and dispensing.
Features worth finding
There are other controller features worth considering. Some
brands have universal silicone adaptors for serological pi-
pettes. Consider how loud the controller is and how that will
fit into your lab environment. Finally, look for a replaceable
disc filter to help improve how clean the device is and to limit
sample contamination.
Overall, one serological pipette controller might look pretty
much like another. Consider reliability, quality and how
well the supplier backs up their products. Price is an obvious
feature to consider, but remember that price can be linked to
features, quality of construction, and warranty.
With these suggestions, shopping for a serological pipette
controller could be a little easier, or at least more strategic—
all with less pain for years to come.
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 Pipette Resource Guide

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Lab Manager 15