Liquid handling is the cornerstone of many biological and chemical laboratories. Working with a 96 channel semi-automated pipettor, such as the Avidien microPro, saves labs time and hassle while reducing errors and making experiments more uniform. Liquid reagents are an expensive but critical component of most research programs – maximizing reagent recovery and optimizing liquid handling can save labs money and improve experiment quality. The Avidien team has tested many reservoirs with the microPro in search of the best accessories for maximizing the machine’s ability to improve liquid handling and reduce reagent waste across a variety of volume needs. These are our winners.

Minimize Waste: Thermo Fisher Matrix

When working with expensive reagents in the lab, leftover dead volume in a reservoir translates directly into dollars wasted. Despite this, many protocols suggest far more reagent than needed when using a multichannel pipette, largely due to retrievability issues in most reservoirs. Avidien tested multiple 96 channel reservoirs and found that Thermo Fisher’s Matrix reservoir partnered with the microPro’s smart features to eliminate dead volume.

The Matrix reservoir’s unique grooved channel design encourages liquids to distribute evenly, even when volumes get low, and align with pipette tips on the microPro. When used with the microPro’s leveling tray and programmable Pipetting Depth Recall, this reservoir offers maximum liquid recovery to reduce reagent waste.

Available in sterile and disposable options, the Thermo Fisher Matrix is an ideal accessory for labs hoping to get the most out of their reagents.

Maximize Volume: Nalgene Disposable Robotic Reservoirs

Sometimes volume matters more than saving liquid in a protocol. Repeated larger volume draws can drain a reservoir quickly with 96 channels, and repeated refills can waste time and increase the chances of contamination. The Nalgene Disposable Robotic Reservoir offers the largest liquid volume we’ve seen – up to 300 mL. With the option for a flat or convoluted volume, this reservoir works with multiple liquid types, much like the microPro itself!

The Nalgene reservoir works with the lower nest position on the microPro, allowing users to maximize efficiency even at large volumes.

Optimize Your Pipettor

Whichever reservoir you decide to use, the microPro offers highly customizable settings that encourage maximum liquid recovery. Configuring your 96 channel semi-automated pipettor for the reservoir and liquid type you are working with will help to further minimize waste and maximize your reagent budget.

The most critical feature to utilize for maximum recovery is Pipetting Depth Recall. This feature allows you to program the exact depth your tips reach to the bottom of your reservoir and accurately repeat this depth each time you pipette. For most liquids, selecting a distance of .4 mm from the surface of your reservoir will allow for near complete liquid recovery, particularly when using a reservoir that optimizes liquid distribution, like the aforementioned Thermo Fisher Matrix. Different custom protocols can utilize different programmed Pipetting Depth Recalls for situations where multiple reservoir types are used to suit unique experimental needs.

Other features that can be leveraged to optimize liquid handling are pipetting speed and Special Liquid Calibration. While the microPro defaults to the properties of water, low friction liquids, like alcohols, or highly viscous liquids, like some reagents, may perform more accurately when pipetting steps in a custom program are calibrated to their unique properties. Any aspiration or dispense step can also be programmed with precise speed control to further maximize liquid recovery.

Organize Your Protocols

Customizing and optimizing each pipetting action may seem daunting, but Avidien’s custom program functionality means that once a protocol is entered, steps are saved and ready for your next experiment. Our intuitive iPad app allows you to work from your desk to design your microPro programs from your current lab protocols, then enjoy an optimized 96 channel pipetting experience when you return to the lab. In addition to setting the Pipetting Depth Recall, liquid calibration, aspirating and dispense speeds, and many other customizations for each pipetting step, you can add prompts for non-pipetting steps, ensuring that each experiment is performed the same each time, no matter who is operating the microPro.

Whatever your protocol, when you need 96 channels, the Avidien microPro semi-automated pipettor saves time, money, and sanity in the lab. Pairing the right accessories with the right configurations lets you take the microPro even further.

Do you want to experience all the cost saving benefits of the microPro 300 first hand and how it fits (literally and figuratively) in your lab? Take it for a test drive by requesting a Free Trial.