Using a Micropipette in Your Laboratory

When browsing through your lab supplies or an online retailer such as Pipette.com you may be wondering, what is a micropipette? 

Micropipette definition: A micropipette is a highly accurate laboratory instrument used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquid, even as small as 0.1 microliters (µL). This precision makes micropipettes essential for a wide range of applications in life sciences, clinical research, and other laboratory settings, from genetic research to pharmaceutical development.

“Micropipettes are at the heart of every lab’s work—without them, precise results just aren’t possible. It’s in our name because it’s central to what we do, and we take real pride in delivering reliable tools that scientists can count on.” 

-Ryan Arnold, CEO, Pipette.com

In this article, we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of micropipettes; we’ll cover:

• What micropipettes are
• What they are used for
• The components of a micropipette
• Expert micropipette care tips
• Examples of today’s top micropipette brands
• And more

What is a Micropipette?

As mentioned above, micropipettes are precise laboratory instruments used to accurately measure and transfer small volumes of liquid and are a common tool found in almost every laboratory.

Micropipettes come in various sizes and volumes to accommodate different needs. Choosing the right one depends on your specific laboratory applications and the precise volumes required. Below are the most common micropipette sizes and their corresponding volume ranges:

The micropipette is an important liquid handling instrument for scientists and lab workers in a variety of different fields. Their high level of accuracy makes them crucial for experiments where even small errors in volume can lead to significant discrepancies in results.

What is a Micropipette Used For?

What is micropipetting? Micropipetting is a practice used by scientists and other lab workers. It consists of using a pipette to aspirate and transfer small quantities (typically in the microliters) of liquids, gels, or other materials to be accurately and precisely measured for exactitude in the laboratory. 

Micropipettes are used in a variety of lab settings including biological, chemical, and medical laboratories where precise liquid handling is essential. Some common uses of micropipettes include:

• Drug Research: Micropipettes can be used to handle small amounts of chemicals or samples
• Cell Culture: Micropipettes add precise amounts of reagents or solutions to cells.
• Enzyme Assays: Micropipettes accurately mix and measure enzyme reactions.
• PCR: Micropipettes handle DNA/RNA extraction and analysis for Polymerase Chain Reaction. (PCR)

Anyone involved in lab-based scientific research and analysis likely uses micropipettes in their day to day work. Common laboratory roles that use micropipettes include:

• Biologists: Micropipettes are widely used in molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology for tasks like DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and enzyme assays.
• Chemists: Analytical chemists and biochemists use micropipettes for measuring and transferring small volumes of solutions in experiments, titrations, and reactions.
• Medical and Clinical Lab Technicians: Micropipettes are essential in medical laboratories for testing blood, urine, and other samples in diagnostic assays.
• Pharmaceutical Scientists: Researchers working in drug discovery and development use micropipettes to handle small volumes of chemicals and compounds for testing and analysis.
• Biotechnologists: In industries focused on developing products based on biological materials, micropipettes are used for tasks like gene editing (e.g., CRISPR) and protein analysis.
• University Researchers and Students: In academic laboratories, micropipettes are used for training and research in various fields of science

Pipette Anatomy: The Components of a Micropipette

The anatomy of a micropipette may seem complex, but all pipette parts work together to make your laboratory task simple and exact. 

Common external parts of a micropipette that you see when using a micropipette include:

• Plunger (button and rod)
• Tip ejector 
• Volume adjustment dial
• Volume display
• Tip ejector
• Shaft
• Disposable pipette tip

The internal parts of a micropipette you don’t see that make it work include:

• The piston
• Friction ring
• Springs
• Sealed O-ring

Pipette tips are a consumable product that are purchased separately from a pipette. It is important to use the proper type of tip as your pipette may not work correctly without it. Pipette.com offers a wide range of tips to meet your exact needs.

A micropipette works fairly simply: a vacuum is created inside the pipette to allow for precise aspiration and dispensing of set volumes of liquid. The process happens quickly and seamlessly in these five steps:

1. Set the Volume
2. Attach the Pipette Tip
3. Aspirate the Liquid
4. Dispense the Liquid
5. Eject the Tip

To learn about how to use micropipettes in more detail, check out our blog How to Use a Micropipette.

Keep Your Micropipette in Top Shape: Expert Care Tips from Pipette.com

As scientists and lab technicians, we take great pride in our work. Our pipettes act as one of our crucial tools to achieving results in the lab so we take great pride in them as well. Micropipettes are delicate, precise instruments that require proper care to remain functional and accurate.

Here are some quick, key tips to care for pipettes correctly:

Regular Cleaning

• The exterior of your pipette can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth and a mild detergent or 70% ethanol solution.
• To clean the lower part of the pipette, remove the tip ejector.

Proper Storage

• Store your pipette vertically in a stand to avoid causing damage internally.
• Storing your pipette horizontally when not in use can allow liquids to enter the body of the pipette.

Avoid Damage

• Handle your pipette care and avoid dropping it. Pipettes subjected to accidental physical force may need to be calibrated before their next due date.
• Do not aspirate liquid into the body of the pipette. Harsh chemicals can cause build up and cause inaccurate results.
• Use its mechanisms gently. Never force the volume adjustment dial or jam a pipette tip onto the instrument.

Calibrate Regularly

• In order to continue to precisely aspirate and dispense the correct volume of liquid, your pipette needs to be calibrated on a regular basis.
• Learn more about our pipette calibration services.

1. Pipettes are incredible tools that help us do our work in the lab every day but are also very fragile instruments that require a high level of care. To learn more about how to correctly use a pipette we’ve developed a comprehensive Guide to Pipetting to better assist you.

Popular Micropipette Brands

There are a wide variety of micropipettes available from a multitude of brands. Some common brands and their popular pipettes include:

Rainin

• Rainin Pipet-Lite XLS+: Ergonomically designed with adjustable settings for great user control. 
• Rainin E4 XLS+: A versatile electronic pipette offering advanced features like multichannel options and personalized programs.
• Biotix X: Designed to improve the ergonomics of traditional pipetting systems by reducing the forces you’re exposed to during this repetitive process 

Gilson

• PIPETMAN Classic: A classic and reliable model with a long-standing reputation for accuracy and durability.
• PIPETMAN L: Lighter than the classic, designed for improved ergonomics with similar performance.
• Microman: Gilson’s Microman is a fully-adjustable, positive-displacement pipette that, together with its disposable Capillary Pistons (CPs), will assure accuracy and precision—even with problem liquids

Eppendorf

• Eppendorf Research Plus: A highly ergonomic and lightweight pipette, popular for its precision and comfort.
• Eppendorf Reference 2: Known for precision and durability, designed for repetitive, high-accuracy work.
• Eppendorf Xplorer: An electronic pipette offering adjustable speed and reproducibility for challenging applications.

Oxford Lab Products

• Benchmate Plus: A light and comfortable pipetting experience with critical durability. 
• AccuPet L: LTS tip compatible, user friendly and fully autoclavable. Designed to dramatically reduce repetitive motion stress and injuries.

While many scientists or other lab workers may have a favorite brand of pipette, the truth is that there are many great pipette brands, it just comes down to personal preference. 

Shop Top Quality Pipettes from Pipette.com

Pipette.com offers a range of high-quality options to suit your laboratory needs. Our selection includes single-channel micropipettes, multi channel micropipettes, serological pipettes, electronic pipettes, repeater pipettes, positive displacement pipettes, and fixed volume pipettes from the top brands you prefer. 

One of our most special offerings at Pipette.com is our selection of refurbished pipettes. Maximize your budget without compromising on quality with perfectly refurbished pipettes from all the top brands including Eppendorf, Rainin, Sartorius, and more. 

All refurbished pipettes from Pipette.com even come with a one year warranty!

The right type and brand of pipette depends on your needs, from budget to lab application. Connect with one of our expert account managers to discover which is best for you and your lab.