Mikropipetit

Mikropipetit, commonly referred to as a micropipette, is a precision laboratory instrument used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquid with high accuracy. It is a fundamental tool in molecular biology, biochemistry, clinical diagnostics, and many fields of chemical research. Micropipettes enable consistent handling of microliter-scale volumes and reduce variability compared with manual methods.

A micropipette operates on the principle of air displacement. A piston creates a defined air volume that expands or contracts as the plunger is pressed or released, drawing liquid into a disposable tip and then expelling it. The user sets the desired volume on a dial or digital display, and tips are designed to be replaced between transfers to prevent cross-contamination. Most micropipettes are calibrated for a specific volume range.

Two main categories exist: single-channel micropipettes for one sample at a time and multi-channel models that can deposit into multiple wells simultaneously. Common size classes include P10 (0.5–10 µL), P20 (2–20 µL), P200 (20–200 µL), and P1000 (100–1000 µL). Tips are inexpensive, disposable, and critical for accuracy and contamination control.

Proper technique is essential. Tips should be pre-wet, the pipette held vertically when aspirating and at an angle when dispensing, and liquid should be dispensed in a smooth two-step motion to minimize bubbles and variable volumes. Routine calibration and maintenance, including tip-fit checks and leak tests, help ensure accuracy over time.

Due to stringent accuracy requirements, micropipettes are routinely calibrated or validated in laboratories. They are standard equipment in research, clinical, and industrial laboratories and are used for tasks such as preparing standard curves, aliquoting reagents, and handling DNA, RNA, and proteins.