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Filter pipette tips- A watchful guardian in covid-19 pandemic

Overview

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Source: ABDOS Life Sciences

Date: 04 Jan,2022

The evolution led to the existence of life on earth and the infinite life forms over the ages, with the origin of the cell-the fundamental unit of life. The Life Science fraternity has been working with different types of cells such as Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes for isolation of the genetic material and the expressed protein for experimental needs for the betterment of mankind. In order to handle the challenges associated with liquid sample handling such as nucleic acids and proteins, the micropipette and the tips form an ideal combination.

Precision & reproducibility of results have always been of utmost importance. Pipette tips come in various sizes, shapes & attributes.

The raw polymer Polypropylene used should be of High purity virgin USP class VI medical grade & should be non-cycled, free from any additives & rubber to prevent leaching.

Pipette tips can have differentiating physical features like elongated tips or having an ultra-point orifice, absence of filter or presence of PE based filter inside the proximal end of the tip from the micropipette. Another feature includes the hydrophobic low sample retention tips for dealing with viscous samples. Pipette tips should be PCR clean for PCR related downstream application.

Role of filter tips in the Life Sciences experimental world today.

There has been an unprecedented surge in demand of filter tips worldwide. Hitherto to this, usage of normal tips was prevalent. This ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the unforgettable lesson, making the filter tips an indispensable part of our laboratory.

What are Filter tips? And how do they prevent contamination?

Filter tips are made from Polypropylene polymer with filter fitted inside it.

The press fitted filter is made from pure porous, hydrophobic Polyethylene (PE) that makes the recovery of samples from wetted filter without any contamination. The filter tips cannot be autoclaved.

What are the applications of filter tips?

Cross contamination is one of the biggest factor while working with precious samples especially nucleic acids. The DNase, RNase are ubiquitous and a potential threat to the very existence of nucleic acids. The sole purpose of filter tip is to provide the liquid aerosol a barrier so that it cannot reach the shaft of the auto-pipette & thereby contaminate the subsequent batch of samples.

List of liquids that should be always pipetted with filter tips, as they could either contaminate or damage the pipette;

ABDOS Filter tips

1.Nucleic acid samples

2.Infectious samples

3.Radio labelled samples

4.Volatile, corrosive or viscous samples

With these possibilities of an infection by an aerosol from the samples, it is imperative to enforce safe work practices in the laboratory.

Role of filter tips in RT-PCR test for Covid-19

The Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Covid-19 is a molecular test that analyses the upper respiratory sample specimen to identify the genetic material (RNA) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The FDA approved RT-PCR has been the gold standard test for diagnosing COVID-19. For the detection of such high-stake and critical disease, pathologists have to make sure that the samples and the testing equipment are not contaminated by the virus, hence filter pipette tips are the best option.

To reduce the risk of aerosol-based contamination, only filter pipette tips are used. As the current situation is alarming, one cannot take any risk that may lead to false results. If by any chance, the sample gets contaminated, the subsequent copies become inaccurate leading to an incorrect diagnosis.

As there are large number of samples that needs to be tested rapidly and effectively, testing centres have been directed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to use filter pipette tips. This eliminates the risk of cross-contamination between the samples and also keeps the lab personnel and equipment safe from contamination. ABDOS caters to these critical needs of clients by providing the PCR Clean, IVD certified Sterile / Non-sterile, Filter tips, also in low sample retention polymer category under mandated clean room environment.

The future is Reshaping.

With the advent of Covid-19 pandemic, the scientific community has completely changed the way the liquid samples have been handled. Now with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the many variants such as Omicron being the latest, have been a cause of great concern. The only way to deal with these virulent diseases in near future is tracing, isolating & detecting it with the proper arsenal that also includes the filter tips.

Source: ABDOS LABTECH PVT. LTD