How to Pipette in 5 Simple Steps | Pipetting Tutorials | Ep. 1: Micropipettes
TLDRThis instructional video, hosted by Fred, offers a step-by-step guide on mastering the art of pipetting with mechanical air-cushion pipettes. It begins with an overview of pipette variants and their volume ranges, color-coded for easy identification. The core content focuses on five essential steps for accurate pipetting: selecting the appropriate pipette, setting the desired volume, attaching the pipette tip, executing the pipetting process with proper technique, and disposing of the tip after use. Tips include pre-wetting the tip and angling the pipette for precise liquid transfer, ensuring reliable experimental outcomes.
Takeaways
- 🧪 Micropipettes are essential in laboratories and require proper technique to avoid experiment errors.
- 🔍 Fred will demonstrate how to use a pipette in five steps, focusing on mechanical air-cushion pipettes.
- 🔬 Pipette variants include single-channel for tubes and multi-channel for plates, with different volume ranges and color codes.
- 📏 The volume range of a pipette is indicated by a color code and printed on the device itself.
- 💧 Select the pipette with a volume closest to the amount you need to pipette for accuracy.
- ⚙️ Pipettes have a control button, selection dial, volume display, tip ejector, and an adjustment opening.
- 🔄 Step-by-step pipetting involves selecting the right pipette, setting the volume, attaching the tip, pipetting, and disposing of the tip.
- 🟣 Match the pipette tip color to the pipette for compatibility.
- 💉 Gently attach the pipette tip without pushing too hard or moving side to side for secure attachment.
- 🌀 Forward pipetting is the common technique, involving submerging the tip, waiting for liquid to flow, and pre-wetting the tip.
- 📈 Accurate pipetting requires holding the pipette vertically and not submerging the tip too deeply.
- 🗑️ Dispose of the pipette tip after use or when changing liquids to maintain cleanliness and accuracy.
Q & A
What is the primary purpose of using a micropipette in a laboratory setting?
-Micropipettes are used for precise liquid handling, ensuring accurate measurements in experiments to avoid errors.
Why is it crucial to perfect the pipetting technique?
-Perfecting the pipetting technique is essential to prevent experimental errors and ensure the accuracy and reliability of scientific results.
Who is the presenter in the video series about liquid handling?
-The presenter in the video series is Fred.
What are the different types of air-cushion pipettes mentioned in the script?
-The different types of air-cushion pipettes mentioned are single-channel pipettes for tubes and multi-channel pipettes for plates, which come in 8-, 12-, 16-, and 24-channel variants.
What is unique about Eppendorf's adjustable tip spacing pipettes?
-Eppendorf's adjustable tip spacing pipettes are designed for transferring liquids between different types of containers, offering versatility in liquid handling.
How is the volume range indicated on a pipette?
-The volume range of a pipette is printed on it and is also represented by a color code.
What color code corresponds to the pipette for volumes between 100 and 1,000 microliters?
-The color code for pipettes used for volumes between 100 and 1,000 microliters is blue.
What are the main components of a pipette mentioned in the script?
-The main components of a pipette mentioned are the control button, selection dial, volume display, tip ejector, and an adjustment opening under the sticker.
What is the recommended pipette volume relative to the volume you want to pipette?
-The volume you want to pipette should be as close as possible to the highest volume printed on the pipette.
How should you attach the pipette tip according to the script?
-To attach the pipette tip, gently push the pipette onto the tip without pushing too hard or moving it side to side, taking advantage of the spring in the tip cone for secure attachment.
What is the term used for the process of wetting the air in the tip with liquid before transferring it to the destination container?
-The process of wetting the air in the tip with liquid before transferring is called pre-wetting.
What is the correct angle to hold the pipette when dispensing liquid into the destination container?
-When dispensing liquid, the pipette should be held at an angle of 20-45°, with the tip always touching the wall of the container.
What should you do with the pipette tip after you have finished pipetting or want to change to a different liquid?
-After finishing pipetting or when changing to a different liquid, you should dispose of the used tip.
Outlines
🧪 Introduction to Pipetting Techniques
This paragraph introduces the importance of proper pipetting technique in laboratory settings to avoid experimental errors. Fred, the presenter, will guide viewers through five steps to master pipetting with mechanical air-cushion pipettes. The video also aims to cover basic knowledge and provide tips for improving pipetting skills. Different types of air-cushion pipettes are mentioned, including single-channel and multi-channel versions for various container types, along with adjustable tip spacing pipettes for diverse container transfers. The paragraph also explains the color-coded volume ranges and the basic components of a pipette, such as the control button, selection dial, volume display, tip ejector, and adjustment opening.
🔍 Selecting and Setting Up the Pipette
The second paragraph focuses on the initial steps of the pipetting process. It advises selecting a pipette with a volume range that closely matches the desired volume to ensure accuracy. The setup involves setting the exact volume on the pipette's selection dial and choosing a matching tip based on color coding. The paragraph provides a detailed explanation of how to attach the pipette tip gently to avoid damage, highlighting the spring mechanism in Eppendorf pipettes that facilitates secure attachment.
💧 The Pipetting Process: Forward Pipetting
This paragraph delves into the actual pipetting process, specifically forward pipetting, which is commonly used for most samples. It describes the steps to draw liquid into the pipette by pressing the control button to the first stop and submerging the tip at a 90° angle. The importance of waiting for the liquid to flow fully into the tip and the potential inaccuracies caused by improper tip placement or pipette angle are emphasized. The paragraph also explains the pre-wetting technique, which involves repeating the draw-and-release of liquid three times to wet the air in the tip. Finally, it details the transfer of liquid to the destination container, including the correct angle and method for dispensing the liquid and ensuring the tip is completely emptied.
🗑️ Proper Disposal of Pipette Tips
The final paragraph concludes the pipetting tutorial by addressing the proper disposal of pipette tips. It instructs viewers to dispose of the used tip once they have finished pipetting or need to change to a different liquid. This step is crucial for maintaining hygiene and preventing cross-contamination in the laboratory. The paragraph ends with a thank you note and an invitation to explore other videos in the series for further learning.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Micropipettes
💡Pipetting technique
💡Air-cushion pipettes
💡Volume range
💡Selection dial
💡Pipette tip
💡Forward pipetting
💡Pre-wetting
💡Blow out
💡Tip ejector
💡Adjustable tip spacing pipettes
Highlights
Micropipettes are essential tools in labs and using them correctly is crucial for accurate experiments.
Fred demonstrates the correct pipetting technique in five easy steps.
Air-cushion pipettes are the standard model used in labs and come in various types for different applications.
Adjustable tip spacing pipettes are ideal for transferring liquids between different container types.
Each pipette has a specific volume range indicated by a color code.
The pipette features include a control button, selection dial, volume display, tip ejector, and adjustment opening.
Choosing the right pipette based on the volume to be pipetted is the first step.
Setting the exact volume on the pipette is crucial for precise measurements.
Matching pipette tips to the pipette color ensures compatibility.
Gently attaching the pipette tip is key to avoid damage.
Forward pipetting is the technique used for most samples.
The pipette must be held vertically and the tip placed minimally into the liquid to ensure accuracy.
Pre-wetting the pipette tip by repeating the liquid draw and dispense process three times is important.
When transferring liquid, the pipette should be held at a 20-45° angle with the tip touching the container wall.
Blow out the tip to ensure it is completely emptied by pushing the control button to the second stop.
Disposing of the tip after pipetting or changing liquids is a necessary step.
The video series also includes other informative episodes on liquid handling.
Transcripts
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