How to Choose the Right Pipette Tip for Your Experiment

There are a lot of considerations to take into account when selecting a suitable pipette tip for your pipettes.

You can choose from manufacturer supplied tips or generic tips suppliers, with tips ranging in price depending on the material and quality. Other considerations include sterile tips, filter tips, bulk bagged tips or boxed tips.

Keywords: pipette calibration, pipette service, pipette tips, laboratory equipment

Introduction

Selecting the right pipette tip is crucial for accurate and reliable laboratory work. This guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when choosing pipette tips.

Manufacturer vs. Generic Tips

Manufacturer Tips:

Pros: Designed specifically for your pipette model, ensuring optimal performance and a tight seal.
Cons: Can be more expensive, especially if you have multiple pipette models.

Generic Tips:

Pros: More affordable and compatible with a wider range of pipettes.
Cons: May not provide the same level of performance as manufacturer tips, especially for specialized applications.

Key Considerations for Tip Selection

1) Tip Profile and Nose Cone Compatibility:

Ensure the tip profile matches the nose cone shape to avoid leaks and inaccurate pipetting. For example, an Eppendorf nose cone has a more parallel design, a Gilson pipette has a tapered nose cone. Trying to use a Gilson tip on an Eppendorf pipette and vice versa can lead to an inconsistent seal.
Does the tip have enough volume? It is possible a tip will sit further up the nose cone on one pipette than another, this will reduce the available volume running the risk of the aspirated volume touching the end of the pipette, this will cause erratic pipetting results and risk cross contamination between pipetting’s.

2) Filter Tips:

Use filter tips to prevent aerosol contamination, especially when working with hazardous or volatile substances.
If you require the use of Filter tips, there needs to be a small gap between the filter and the bottom of the nose cone. Any contact may cause an inconsistent seal.

3) Sterility and Quality:

Choose sterile tips for aseptic techniques.
Consider the quality of the plastic material to minimize tip distortion and ensure accurate pipetting.

Calibration and Tip Compatibility

Calibrate Your Pipette with the Intended Tip:
Always calibrate your pipette with the specific tip you’ll be using to maintain accurate and reliable results.
Avoid switching tips between calibrations, as this can affect performance.

Best Practices for Pipette Tip Usage

Single-Use: Use a new tip for each pipetting procedure to prevent cross-contamination.
Proper Storage: Store tips in a clean, dry environment to avoid dust and moisture.
Regular Maintenance: Clean and sterilize your pipette and tips regularly to ensure optimal performance.

Conclusion

By understanding the factors that influence pipette tip performance, you can select the right tips for your specific needs. Remember to consider factors such as tip profile, volume capacity, sterility, and compatibility with your pipette model. By following these guidelines, you can improve the accuracy and reliability of your laboratory work.

How to Choose the Right Pipette Tip for Your Experiment