For instance, positive displacement pipettes are ideal for handling volatile, viscous, and other kinds of difficult samples. In addition, you need to know whether you are using the right kind of pipette for your workflow. For instance, if you are pipetting 1µL of the sample, use a 2-5 µL pipette rather than a 20µL one. Be sure to choose the smallest possible pipette for handling the sample volume. Here are some tips for pipetting small volumes accurately.Īs volumetric errors are more prominent at low sample volumes, it is important to select a pipette that delivers sample quantities that align with the study protocol. This holds true for errors stemming from using wrong pipetting instruments and inaccurate pipetting techniques. If you want consistent results while working with small liquid volumes, you need to identify and eliminate all potential sources of error and review your lab workflow on a regular basis.

While working with small volumes, factors such as temperature and dispensing accuracy are critical to control and manipulate. In order to detect microscopic changes accurately in small sample volumes, test tubes and vials are being gradually replaced by microplates, which require reagents in the microliter/nanoliter range. As modern researchers increasingly work with high-value small volume samples, the need for advanced pipetting techniques/protocols is evident.