• Always keep the micropipette in a vertical position when there is fluid in the barrel so the liquid will not run back into the barrel.
• Set the desired volume before getting a tip. Never attempt to set a volume beyond the pipette's minimum or maximum values .
•
Always change tips for each new solution you need to pipette.
• Avoid contamination. Never touch a tip and keep tips from touching lab bench.
• The plunger has two stops. The first stop is for drawing up the desired volume of liquid and the second stop is for completely dispensing the sample.
•
Look at the liquid in your tip. If there are air bubbles, try again!
• Do not allow the top of the micropipette tip to be completely submerged into any of the solutions.
• After dispensing the sample into its container, keep the plunger depressed until the tip is completely out of the container.
• Do not leave the micropipette standing in a solution to avoid spilling the solution.
• If you are mixing together two different liquids, always add the smallest volume last.
Institute for Systems Biology & Bellevue School District