Using a Micropipette - University of Leicester
TLDRThe video script provides a detailed guide on the proper use of micropipettes, essential tools in molecular biology labs for measuring and transferring small liquid volumes. It emphasizes the importance of using the correct pipette for the intended volume range to avoid damage and ensure accuracy. The script explains how to set the volume on different pipettes, attach and release pipette tips, and the correct technique for aspirating and expelling liquids. It also highlights the need for cleanliness to prevent contamination and the potential issues that can arise from improper use, such as inaccurate measurements and pipette damage. The summary serves as a concise yet comprehensive overview of micropipette operation, catering to both beginners and experienced users looking to refresh their knowledge.
Takeaways
- 🧬 Micropipettes are essential tools in molecular biology labs for measuring and transferring small liquid volumes.
- 🔢 Different pipettes work across various volume ranges and are named by their maximum volume capacity.
- ❌ Never use a pipette outside its designated range to avoid inaccurate measurements and damage to the pipette.
- 🔑 Pipettes have a volume setting mechanism, which can be adjusted using a thumb wheel or push-button.
- 📏 The dials on the pipette indicate volume differently depending on the pipette's maximum capacity.
- 🔨 Proper use of pipettes is crucial for accurate measurements and to prevent damage to the instrument.
- 💉 Pipette tips are disposable and come in different sizes and types, such as filter tips for contamination prevention.
- 👁️ Practice is needed to apply the right pressure for an airtight seal between the pipette and the tip.
- 💧 The process of drawing and expelling liquid involves pressing the button to a 'first stop' and then releasing it carefully.
- 📦 Always dispose of used pipette tips in appropriate waste containers and never reuse them.
- 🚫 Never use a pipette without a tip attached to prevent contamination and damage to the pipette.
Q & A
What is a micropipette used for in a molecular biology laboratory?
-A micropipette is used in conjunction with plastic disposable pipette tips to measure or transfer small amounts of liquids, typically ranging from 0.2 microliters to 1000 microliters or one milliliter.
What are the different volume ranges that micropipettes work across?
-Micropipettes work across different ranges of volumes such as 0.2 to 2 microliters, 2 to 20 microliters, 20 to 200 microliters, and 100 to 1000 microliters.
How are micropipettes named according to their volume range?
-Micropipettes are named by the maximum volume they can pipette, with labels such as P2, P20, P200, and P1000 for different volume ranges.
Why is it important to use a micropipette within its designated volume range?
-Using a micropipette outside of its designated range can result in inaccurate volume measurements and damage to the internal mechanism of the pipette.
How can you set the volume on a micropipette?
-The volume can be set using either the thumb wheel or, on newer models, the push-button, which causes the number dials in the body of the pipette to rotate and change the volume of liquid that will be taken up.
What do the numbers on the dials of a micropipette represent?
-The numbers on the dials represent different volumes depending on the pipette used. For example, the same numbers can indicate 1.5 microliters for a P2, fifteen point two microliters for a P20, and 152 microliters for a P200.
What are pipette tips and how are they used with micropipettes?
-Pipette tips are plastic disposable attachments used with micropipettes to measure or transfer liquids. Different pipette tips are used for different pipettes, such as yellow tips for P20 and P200, and larger blue tips for P1000.
What is the purpose of a filter tip in a laboratory setting?
-A filter tip, which contains a sterile filter, is often used in the laboratory to help prevent contamination of the liquid being transferred.
How should you attach a pipette tip to a micropipette?
-You should attach the pipette tip by gently but firmly pushing the pipette into the tip, which is held in a tip box, applying the right amount of pressure to ensure an airtight seal.
Can you explain the steps to use a micropipette correctly?
-To use a micropipette, push the button down to the first stop, place the tip into the liquid, release the button to draw up the liquid, then place the tip into the recipient container and push down past the first stop to release the liquid. Always withdraw the pipette from the container before releasing the button.
What should you do if you have trouble attaching a pipette tip?
-If you have trouble attaching a pipette tip, do not repeatedly jam the pipette into the tip as this can damage the pipette. Instead, repeat the procedure with a new tip.
Why is it important to change the pipette tip when it touches any surface or liquid other than the one intended?
-Changing the pipette tip after it touches any unintended surface or liquid is crucial to prevent cross-contamination between liquids and experiments.
What should you do when you're finished with a pipette tip?
-After aspirating the liquid, release the pipette tip from the pipette by pressing down on the tip ejector, ensuring the attached tip is inside the appropriate waste container before doing so.
How can you ensure accurate pipetting and avoid contamination when working with small volumes?
-For small volumes, you should touch the pipette tip to the inside wall of the recipient container while expelling the liquid to ensure accurate transfer and avoid contamination.
Outlines
🧪 Proper Use of Pipettes in Molecular Biology
This paragraph discusses the importance of using micropipettes correctly in molecular biology labs. Micropipettes are essential tools for measuring and transferring small liquid volumes, ranging from 0.2 microliters to 1000 microliters. The paragraph explains that pipettes are designated by a 'P' followed by a number indicating their maximum volume capacity. It emphasizes the need to match the pipette's range with the volume being measured to avoid damage and inaccuracies. The paragraph also details how to set the volume using the thumb wheel or push-button mechanism and the significance of the three-number display on the pipette body. Furthermore, it explains the process of attaching pipette tips, drawing up liquid, and expelling it into a recipient container, highlighting the importance of a controlled release for accurate measurements and preventing contamination.
💧 Advanced Pipetting Techniques and Precautions
The second paragraph provides advanced techniques and precautions for pipetting. It instructs users to push the push-button until resistance is felt, place the pipette into the liquid, and slowly release the button to aspirate the liquid. To expel the liquid, the paragraph advises pushing past the first stop to ensure complete expulsion. For small volumes, it suggests touching the tip to the container wall during expulsion. The paragraph also covers the correct release of the pipette tip using the tip ejector and the necessity of using a new tip for each liquid or after contact with a surface. It warns against using a pipette without a tip and exceeding its volume limits, which can lead to contamination and damage. Additional advice includes avoiding repeated jamming of the pipette into a tip, releasing the push-button in a controlled manner, and ensuring the tip stays submerged when withdrawing large volumes. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to touch the pipette tip to the tube side when pipetting small volumes to ensure proper liquid transfer.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Micropipette
💡Pipette Tips
💡Volume Range
💡First Stop
💡Contamination
💡Precision
💡Viscous Liquids
💡Tip Ejector
💡Cross-contamination
💡Maximium Volume
💡Throat
Highlights
Micropipettes are essential tools in molecular biology used for measuring and transferring small liquid volumes.
Different pipettes cover various volume ranges and are named by their maximum volume capacity.
Proper pipette usage is crucial to avoid damage and ensure accurate volume measurements.
Pipettes should not be used outside their designated volume range to prevent damage and inaccuracies.
Each pipette has a set of numbers to adjust the volume, with different meanings depending on the pipette type.
The color coding on the pipette dials indicates tenths and hundredths of a microliter.
Pipettes require attaching appropriate disposable pipette tips for liquid handling.
Different pipette sizes use different colored tips, such as yellow for P20 and P200, and blue for P1000.
Filter tips are used in laboratories to prevent contamination.
Proper technique is needed to apply the right pressure for an airtight seal between the tip and pipette.
Liquid is drawn into and expelled from the pipette using a controlled button press.
To use the pipette, press the button to the first stop, place the tip into the liquid, and release the button.
For expelling liquid, push the button past the first stop to ensure complete expulsion from the tip.
Always withdraw the pipette tip from the liquid before releasing the button to avoid contamination.
For small volumes, touching the tip to the container wall can help ensure complete liquid transfer.
After aspirating liquid, release the pipette tip using the tip ejector button.
Always use a new pipette tip for each new liquid or if the tip touches any unintended surface.
Never use a pipette without a tip attached to prevent damage and contamination.
Avoid pushing the button past the first stop when taking up liquid to prevent overfilling.
Controlled release of the push button is necessary to ensure accurate volume dispensing.
Pausing after releasing the push button allows time for the correct volume to be taken into the tip.
When withdrawing large volumes, ensure the tip stays submerged to prevent air bubbles.
Never lay the pipette down with liquid in the tip to avoid cross-contamination and pipette damage.
For small volume pipetting, touching the tip to the tube side ensures accurate liquid deposition.
Transcripts
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