A serological pipette is a laboratory instrument used for accurately measuring and transferring liquid volumes in the range of 1 mL to 100 mL. It is a key tool in cell culture and various biological and chemical experiments where precise liquid handling is required.

Technical Details

• Material:
  • Polystyrene or Glass: Most serological pipettes are made from polystyrene, a durable and cost-effective plastic. Glass pipettes are used for applications requiring greater chemical resistance.
• Graduations:
  • Graduated Marks: Serological pipettes have clear, graduated markings along their length, typically in milliliters (mL). These graduations allow for accurate volume measurements. The pipettes can be either "To Deliver" (TD) or "To Contain" (TC). TD pipettes are designed to deliver the exact volume when emptied, whereas TC pipettes retain a small residual amount.
• Design:
  • Open and Cotton-Plugged Ends: The open end is designed to fit into a pipette aid or bulb, while the cotton-plugged end helps prevent liquid from entering the pipette aid and contaminating the sample.
  • Straight and Tapered Tips: Serological pipettes often feature a straight or slightly tapered tip, which aids in smooth liquid dispensing.
• Sizes:
  • Range of Capacities: They are available in various sizes, including 1 mL, 2 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL, 25 mL, and 50 mL, each suitable for different volume requirements.
• Use with Pipette Controllers:
  • Manual or Electronic Pipette Aids: Serological pipettes are typically used with manual or electronic pipette controllers, which allow for controlled aspiration and dispensing of liquids.

Applications

• Cell Culture: Serological pipettes are widely used to transfer cell culture media, reagents, and other liquids required in cell culture processes.
• Biochemical Assays: They are essential for preparing solutions, mixing reagents, and aliquoting samples in various biochemical assays.
• Tissue Culture: Employed in the preparation and maintenance of tissue culture, ensuring precise addition of growth factors and other supplements.
• General Laboratory Use: Used in laboratories for tasks requiring accurate liquid measurement, such as dilutions and reagent transfers.

Sterility

• Sterile Options: Many serological pipettes are available in sterile, individually wrapped formats to prevent contamination in aseptic workflows.