SOP: ABC-LE-001
Prepared by: Marleen Cook
Version: v.1
Date: 02AUG2012
Title: Adjustable Pipettes
PURPOSE: The purpose of this SOP is to guide students on proper use of adjustable
pipettes. This SOP will cover the correct use of a single micro pipette and multichannel
pipettes.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: Proper PPE should always be worn, this includes lab coats,
gloves, safety glasses and closed toe shoes. Mouth pipetting is not allowed in the
laboratory. All materials should be treated as a biohazard and should be properly
disposed of by proper aseptic techniques.
MATERIALS:
Pipettes
Pipette tips
Reservoirs
MATRIX/SPECIMEN: N/A
SPECIMEN ID, HANDLING AND STORAGE: N/A
SAMPLE PREP: N/A
PROCEDURE:
Single Pipettes
1. Insure the pipette is clean of any reagents/residues in order to avoid
contamination.
2. Adjust the pipette volume by altering the dial to show the desired volume in the
volume readout window. Example:
P2
P10
P20
P100
P200
P1000
1
0
1
0
1
0
2
7
2
7
2
7
0
5
0
5
0
5
1.20µl
7.5µl
12.0µl
120µl
0.75ml
75µl
a) Check to make sure you have the correct pipette for your desired
volume.
b) Never use a pipette outside of the designated range.
3. Obtain the correct pipette tips. Some companies color code their tip boxes to the
color at the top of the pipette plunger. Attach the appropriate tip to the end of
the pipette by pushing the cone shaped shaft into the tip opening.
4. Hold the pipette as vertical as possible and press the plunger down to the first
stop before immersing the tip into the sample.
5. Immerse the tip only 2-4mm below the surface of the sample. The pipette should
never be inverted or used in a horizontal position while working with liquids.
6. Allow the plunger to return to its original position without abruptly allowing the
plunger to snap upward.
7. Withdraw the tip from the sample and carefully remove any residual liquid on
the pipette tip by touching the pipette tip to the inside wall of the container.
8. Dispense the desired sample volume into the receiving vessel by placing the
bottom of the tip against the wall of the receiving vessel and pressing the
plunger down to the second stop to fully expel the sample.
9. Once the sample is dispensed into the receiving vessel withdraw the tip allow
the plunger to return slowly without allowing it to snap upward.
10. Discard used tips into the proper receptacle using the tip ejector.
Multichannel Pipette
1. Insure the pipette is clean of any reagents/residues in order to avoid
contamination.
2. Adjust the pipette volume by altering the dial to show the desired volume in the
volume readout window.
a) Check to make sure you have the correct pipette for your desired volume.
b) Never use a pipette outside of the designated range.
3. Obtain the correct pipette tips. Some companies color code their tip boxes to the
color at the top of the pipette plunger. Attach the appropriate tip to the end of
the pipette by pushing the cone shaped shafts into the tip openings.
4. Hold the pipette as vertical as possible and press the plunger down to the first
stop before immersing the tips into the reservoir.
5. Immerse the tips below the surface of the sample. The pipette should never be
inverted or used in a horizontal position while working with liquids.
6. Allow the plunger to return to its original position without abruptly allowing the
plunger to snap upward. Check pipette tips for any bubbles.
Note: If bubbles are present dispense the sample back into the original reservoir
and repeat step 5 and 6
.
7. Withdraw the tips from the reservoir and carefully remove any residual liquid on
the pipette tip by touching the pipette tip to the inside wall of the reservoir.
8. Dispense the desired sample volume into the receiving vessel by placing the
bottom of the tip against the wall of the receiving vessel and pressing the
plunger down to the second stop to fully expel the sample.
9. Once the sample is dispensed into the receiving vessel withdraw the tips then
allow the plunger to return slowly with allowing it to snap upward.
10. Discard used tips into the proper receptacle using the tip ejector.
11. The number of pipette tips is adjustable with multichannel pipettes.
ACCEPTANCE FOR RESULTS:
Pipettes that are not functioning correctly must be brought to the attention of the
instructor for proper maintenance and calibration. Proper use of pipettes is evaluated
by the Good Laboratory Evaluation Sheet
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA: N/A
REFERENCES: N/A