Whether you’re pipetting genomic material, bacterial samples or other precious samples, the risk of cross-contamination from aerosols created during pipetting is always of concern. To ensure no contamination of the pipette barrel occurs, the use of filter tips is recommended. However, just because a tip has a filter doesn’t necessarily mean that it is effective in blocking aerosols. Thermo Scientific Matrix filter tips are tested for many types of potential filter failure and every lot must pass a rigorous battery of tests.
Benefits
Stringent testing guarantees filter tips that effectively blocks aerosols
Hydrophobic filter material ensures no particulates contaminate samples; inadvertent contact with filter will not contaminate sample or result in sample loss
Easy-to-open packaging ensures product maintains sterility while being easy to access
Hinged rack lids can be opened without laying lid on bench top, helping to maintain sterility
Filter Testing
In order for a filter tip to be effective at blocking aerosols, the filter itself must meet certain porosity requirements AND the filter must form a complete barrier across the face of the tip. (Figure 1: How a filter can fail to block aerosols.) We perform two specific tests to ensure these defects are not
present:
Mercury Intrusion Testing (QC 13.1 - QC 13.8): Ensures that the filter itself meets our aerosol blocking requirements (thus preventing the failure pictured in b).
Particle Count Testing (Test Protocol QAS-0100): Ensures that the filter is effective at blocking aerosols after installation into the tip. A filter that is performing properly will not block aerosols if it does not fit properly in the tip, was damaged during installation, or is not the proper shape (see Figure 1, image C). Every lot of tips produced is tested by drawing a vacuum of aerosols against the filter and ensuring particles do not pass through (see Figure 2).
Hydrophobic Filter Material
All Matrix filter tips utilize hydrophobic polyethylene as a filter material. Not only is it nonparticulating, but should accidental contact with the filter occur (due to over-pipetting), your sample can be recovered by simply dispensing back out. Because the filter is hydrophobic, your sample will remain uncontaminated and will not be trapped in the filter.
Easy-Open Packaging
Each rack of Matrix filter tips is sealed in a thick polyethylene bag to maintain sterility, yet is easy to open with a simple snap and tear opening.
Hinged Lids
Keep tip box lids off the work surface helping to maintain the sterility of the tips inside.
Particles Do Not Pass Through
Every lot of tips produced is tested by drawing a vacuum of aerosols against the filter and ensuring particles do not pass through (see Figure 2).
Applications
Bacteriology
Gel loading
PCR setup
Preventing cross-contamination during routine pipetting
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