The Research pro Electronic Pipette from Brinkmann Eppendorf is a highly sophisticated device for manual liquid handling. It is available as a single, eight- or twelve-channel model and it has a number of features that set it apart from other electronic pipettes. The aspirating and dispensing procedures are executed with the aid of a microprocessor-controlled stepper motor. The speed that liquids are aspirated or dispensed is electronically regulated and thus can be adjusted to the viscosity of the liquid. In addition, the Research pro has a reverse pipetting function for handling solutions with high viscosity. Up to five different programmable pipetting sequences can be stored and linked to each other. In the dispensing mode, up to 20 dispensing steps can be defined, and each dispensing step may have a different partial volume. There is also an option for automatic dispensing where all dispensing steps are executed automatically with the same volume and in a user-defined rhythm. There are a number of distinct sounds that this pipette makes for different operations and the lower part of the pipette can be removed and autoclaved.
A lot of experiments in our laboratory are performed in a 96- or 384-well microtiter plate format. Obviously, this requires extensive pipetting. And preparing several hundred reactions (per experiment) is a very time consuming job. Therefore we decided to buy the Research pro pipettes, which seemed to us at least a partial solution to our problem. We purchased both a single-channel device as well as a multi-channel one for our micro-well plate reactions. We quickly realized that the purchase was a good decision. The Reseach pro is a robust device and works well for microtiter plate dispensing. I found the acoustic signaling very practical, since you do not have to check a display every time to determine your current activity status. And the ability to adjust the pipetting mode to the fluid characteristics is an extremely helpful feature. For example, a delayed blow-out function helps to avoid foam formation during the handling of solutions containing proteins. And the regulation of the dispensing speed is also an important element. We all know how careful one has to be to not loose a sample while loading a gel. Setting the Research pro at the highest aspirating and the lowest dispensing speed gives the optimal conditions for that job.
The only thing that should probably be considered before acquiring the Research pro is its price. Not surprisingly, the Research pro costs far more then ordinary pipettes since automation is always expensive. In addition, there are a number of additional pieces of equipment that you need to purchase – including the charging adapter or charging stand. Also, it is recommended that you use pipette tips from Brinkmann Eppendorf, which is another thing to keep in mind.
Nevertheless, the Research pro is a good quality device. It is a robust piece of equipment that comes with a number of well-thought out features. I would recommend this pipette to any lab no matter what type of research they perform.
Michal Janitz, M.D.
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics
Berlin, Germany