As lab technicians, we can’t deny that mistakes happen—human error, broken machinery, environmental conditions, fatigue and the list goes on. At TTE, we make it a priority to help scientists avoid pipetting errors and reduce their risk of pipette mistakes as a preventative measure. Our belief is to address all contributors and minimize pipetting errors from a broad approach, of standardized pipette calibration or pipette repair services, pipette training of best practices and incorporating the use of high quality, comfortable pipette equipment. The following is our top 10 list of routine steps technicians can take to prevent pipetting errors from taking over. Give some consideration to these steps the next time you’re pipetting:

Within pipette calibration there are five widely used grades of pipettes, all of which have specific guidelines and requirements regarding use, testing, maintenance, and measurement. The five grades of pipettes include disposable/transfer, graduated/serological, single channel, multichannel, and repeat pipette. From the most basic transfer pipette dropper to the advanced repeat dispensing pipettor, the manner in which the equipment is handled will impact the accuracy of the test results.

The care and maintenance of your pipettes is arguably one of the most important routines for working in the lab. Implementing a strict schedule of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual pipette maintenance could mean the difference between purchasing new, expensive equipment and relying on precise measurement instruments. A well-cared for pipette will last longer, provide more accurate results, be calibrated more precisely, and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Every year, commercial and research laboratories await the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) annual audit of their establishment’s compliance to the strict requirement guidelines. The FDA regulations for laboratory environments are based on the ISO 17025 standard, which focuses on the level of competency and consistency in lab methodology. For companies conducting laboratory research, the ISO 17025 standard applies to pipettes, dispensers, diluters, and burets. So how do labs meet the FDA standards in every aspect of their establishment? Adhering to FDA regulations and ISO standards requires commitment from every employee involved in the organization.

An auto mechanic’s main role is to diagnose and fix a problem quickly and accurately so that when you leave, you’ll have a safe ride home. A pipette repair service works in much the same way, and should be treated with equal attention in order to provide an effective laboratory environment. Let’s take a look at a handful of ways pipette calibration can be compared to taking your car to the mechanic.

Laboratories use various types of liquid handling devices every day to measure and transfer valuable samples and reagents. Single and multichannel pipettes, repeat dispensers, bottle-top dispensers, and positive displacement pipettes have been around for 40+ years, and are present in almost every biopharma, medical research and clinical lab today. So, what are the costs associated with an institutions liquid handling processes?  More than you think...

Abstract: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are commonly used analytical biochemistry assays. The specific techniques vary significantly in the details and sequence of the biological interactions that occur, but they all require a similar range of liquid handling operations. The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the potential benefits of using the Avidien microPro300 semi-automated benchtop pipettor when performing these assays in either a 96 or 384 well microplate format.

2014 International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma

At TTE Laboratories, we think about that all the time. In our view, a good solid liquid measurement tool has these specific characteristics:

How much do you know about today's mechanical pipettes? Each week, in our Accuracy Matters blog, our readers can find all sorts of useful information about pipetting- best practices and tips, regulatory changes and innovative techniques. This week we're testing your knowledge!