Tip Combs

Tip combs, also known as multichannel pipette tip combs or pipette tip racks, are laboratory accessories designed to hold and organize multiple pipette tips in a specific arrangement, typically aligned in a single row or in multiple rows. These combs are specifically designed for use with multichannel pipettes, which are pipettes capable of aspirating and dispensing liquid from multiple tips simultaneously. The purpose of tip combs is to ensure that the tips remain in a consistent, organized pattern, making it easier for laboratory technicians to load and use multichannel pipettes efficiently and accurately.
Key features and uses of tip combs include:
Tip Organization: Tip combs help organize the pipette tips into a uniform array, which is essential for multichannel pipettes that use multiple tips for simultaneous liquid transfers. This arrangement ensures that each tip is precisely aligned with its respective sample or well, reducing the risk of pipetting errors.
Compatibility: Tip combs are designed to be compatible with specific multichannel pipette models, ensuring a snug fit. Different multichannel pipettes have varying tip formats, and tip combs are customized to match these formats.
Loading and Ejection: Tip combs simplify the loading and ejection of pipette tips. Users can easily attach tips to the pipette channels by pressing them onto the comb, and the comb can also be used for tip ejection after use.
Reduced Cross-Contamination: When using multichannel pipettes, keeping tips in an organized comb helps prevent cross-contamination between samples by ensuring that each tip is used only for its designated sample well.
High Throughput: Tip combs are particularly useful in high-throughput laboratory settings, such as those in genomics, drug discovery, and diagnostic labs. They allow for faster and more accurate liquid transfers when working with multi-well plates.
Variety of Configurations: Tip combs come in various configurations, including 8-channel, 12-channel, 16-channel, and 24-channel formats, depending on the specific multichannel pipette being used. The choice of configuration depends on the number of channels in the pipette and the application requirements.
Disposable or Reusable: Tip combs can be disposable or reusable, depending on the material and laboratory protocols. Disposable tip combs are typically made of plastic and are discarded after a single use, ensuring no risk of carryover contamination. Reusable combs are made of materials that can be autoclaved or sterilized for multiple uses.
In summary, tip combs are important tools in laboratories where multichannel pipettes are used. They help maintain the organization of pipette tips, improve efficiency, and reduce the risk of errors and contamination, especially in high-throughput and precision liquid handling applications. The choice of tip comb depends on the specific multichannel pipette in use and the laboratory's requirements.

• Sample storage
• Compound screening
• Protein crystallization