Paris PROTOCOLS

'''Prepare to begin'''
<br>
''This topic is adressed to all our informaticacs-physics-I'm-afraid-of-the-bench fellows. So, if you finally found the courage to affront the pipettes, 1µl filter tips and nicely smelling bacteria, welcome!''
<br>
* What a pipette is? [[(see image)]]
<br>
Pipettes dispense various volumes. The '''plunger button''' indicates the maximum volume (microliters) that the pipette is designed to handle. For example, P-20 will handle up to 20 microliters.<br>
The '''digital volume indicator''' is read from top to bottom. For P-2, P-10, P-20, P-100, and P-200, black digits indicate microliters and red digits tenths and hundredths of microliters. For P-1000, red digits indicate milliliters and black digits microliters.<br>
<br>
What to do when you have it in you hand?<br>
<br>
-Hold the pipette in one hand (it doesn't bite...). With the other hand, turn the volume adjustment knob counterclockwise so the volume indicator is 1/3 revolution above the desired setting, then slowly turn clockwise until the indicator shows the desired volume.<br>
-Attach a new disposable tip to the pipette shaft.<br>
-Press the plunger to the FIRST stop. This part of the stroke is the volume displayed by the indicator.<br>
-Holding the pipette vertically, immerse the tip a few millimeters into the sample.<br>
-Allow the pushbutton to return slowly to the UP position. Avoid to blurt out the plunger button abruptly : there are bulls appearing and your volume is false...<br>
-Ensure that the full volume of sample was properly drawn into the tip. <br>
-Withdraw the tip from the sample.<br>
-To dispense the liquid, gently touch the tip to the side of the receiving vessel, immersing the tip into liquid within the vessel. Press the plunger to the SECOND stop.<br>
-With the plunger fully pressed, withdraw the tip carefully, wiping residual drops against the vessel wall.<br>
-Allow plunger to return to the UP position.<br>
-Discard the tip by depressing the tip ejector button.<br>