Pipettes


On my second day in the STEM-TRAIN program. I learned "how to use a micropipette" through a "Dilution experiment."  (Sept. 13th, 2019)

The micropipettes have different volumetric measurements. They all measure in microliters (μl = 1 microliter) (1000μl = 1 ml)
There are 4 different types of micropipettes in the lab, with different ranges each one. They are also color-coded, BUT ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE RANGES BEFORE USING THEM.

ALSO!! I had a hard time reading the small lines in the pipettes.: 

PARTS OF A PIPETTE:

Related image

DO NOT THIS WITH THE PIPETTES!!!!

  • Never go below or above the ranges of the micropipettes. You can break them if you do this, or they will need to be recalibrated. 
  • Do not let the tip attachment to touch anything, not even the substance you are working on. It can contaminate future experiments, or ruin the mechanism of the pipette.
  • Do not let the disposable tip to touch anything but the substance you're working on. If it does, dispose of the tip. Avoid cross-contamination. 
  • Always hold the pipette vertically, do not hold it horizontally. The liquid in the disposable tip can roll down to the mechanism of the pipette. 
  • Do not let go of the plunger fast. The liquid can shoot up to the mechanism of the pipette

STEPS FOR PIPETTING

  • Clean the tip attachment with Kim wipes (KIMTECH) and Ethanol
  • When applying the disposable tip: 
  • Press the plunger to the first stop, and then insert the tip into the solution. 
  • SLOWLY, let go of the plunger. 
  • While keeping the pipette horizontally, insert the pipette in the microfuge (or the other test tube) and slowly press the plunger to the first stop). 
  • Press the plunger to the second stop to make sure you deliver all the solutions to the microfuge. 
  • Take out the micropipette from the test tube, and then let go of the plunger. 
  • Once done, eject the disposable pipette into the biohazard container 
Here are three videos that explain pipetting. The first video only explains how to pipette. The second one includes an explanation about everything covered here. The third explains pipetting in more depth 





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