Application Note: The Role of Pipette Tips in Achieving the Best Pipetting Performance
The purchase decision on laboratory consumables is largely driven by price – and pipette tips are no exception. Though a laboratory might invest in high-quality pipettes, carefully evaluating them against several criteria, (ergonomics, performance, accuracy, etc.) pipette tips are often selected purely by price – sometimes against specifications. Investment in quality pipettes will make little difference if they are not paired with quality tips designed for your specific needs.
Commonly Asked Questions
- What are the types of pipette tips? - There are three different types of pipette tips commonly used in laboratories:
- Non-sterile
- Pre-sterilized
- Filtered
- What happens when the wrong pipette tip is used? - Choosing the wrong pipette tip for a given piece of equipment increases the risk of an inadequate seal between the pipette and pipette tip. Without a proper seal, leakage and sample loss can occur. This is detrimental to accuracy and can create a safety hazard, depending on the solutions being pipetted.
This application note explains the results of pipette performance that can occur from using different pipette tips, such as from “universal” tip manufacturers. Ultimately, careful attention should be paid when selecting pipette tips to ensure high-quality results. All tips are not created equal.
