Universal Pipette Tips Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of universal pipette tips are offered and what is the main difference between them?
Universal pipette tips can be either standard, filtered, sterile, low retention, extended length, wide bore or gel loading. Standard tips are suitable for most applications while filtered tips are recommended when it is critical to avoid sample cross-contamination. Low binding or low retention tips are good for working with viscous and sticky liquids. Tips with an extended length are suitable when you want to collect samples and avoid inserting the pipette shaft inside tubes or bottles. Wide bore pipette tips or wide orifice tips are perfect for handling cultured cells or DNA samples. These tips have a larger opening to more easily aspirate and dispense viscous, particulate or difficult solutions. These tips are only supplied in racks and are available as non-sterile and sterile packs.
How should I select the right universal tips?
If it is critical to protect samples from cross-contamination, choose filtered pipette tips. If you are working with aqueous liquids, standard/universal tips are sufficient. If you are working with viscous liquids, with PCR master mixes, enzyme solutions and buffers, or if you simply want to preserve expensive reagents or precious samples, choose low retention tips.
Can I use the universal tips with all pipette brands and models, or with pipettes requiring specific tips? Should I only use tips of the same brand as the pipette?
Universal tips can only be used with those pipettes not requiring specific tips. If your pipette requires specific tips only those can be used. It is not necessary to use the same branded tips as your pipette. Although some pipette manufacturers state that their specifications can only be assured with the use of their own branded tips, normally the results gotten with universal tips from other brands are similar.
Can I sterilize the universal pipette tips myself, and if so, how do I do that?
Yes, it is possible to sterilize non-filtered pipette tips which are not already sterile. Many manufacturers offer both ready-to-use sterile tips and non-sterile versions of the same tip if you prefer to sterilize them manually. The most common way to sterilize tips is to autoclave them as it is the simplest and quickest method. For most plastic pipettes, autoclaving requires heating at 121°C for 20 minutes. Some universal pipette tips can be autoclaved, and this is indicated in the specifications. However, this is normally intended for sterilization before use of non-sterile tips. Pipette tips are normally single use only according to their specifications.
Is it possible to autoclave non-filtered pipette tips in the lab in all cases?
For most automated liquid handling platforms, it may not be possible to autoclave, as it can change the liquid handling performance and introduce variation into experimental results. Therefore, most users, especially in high throughput labs, use tips that are supplied sterile. Opt for consumables that are labelled as “sterile” as they are guaranteed sterile during manufacturing, for example by conforming to ISO 11137 and to packaging and transport norms (e.g. ISO 11607 and ISTA 2A) that ensure sterility is maintained all the way to your laboratory.
What different packaging is offered and how do I choose the right packaging?
Most pipette tips are offered in rack, bulk, refill, hinged rack, pack of 96, bagged, and reload formats. Choose the packaging based on your pipetting needs. For example, sterilized and filtered pipette tips come in single tray packages and in racks. If your application is less critical, consider saving plastic and choose one of the refill or bagged options. These option also helps save bench and storage space. Refill tips are an environmentally friendly solution that also help to reduce transportation emissions.