Pipetting instruments serve as essential tools in laboratories, facilitating the precise measurement and transfer of small volumes of solutions across various scientific fields, including biology, chemistry, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. While these tools range from basic pipettes and droppers to more complex pipetting workstations, they all share a common principle: aspirating a target volume of liquid through a vacuum suction chamber. However, the concept of pipetting tools, such as pipettes, did not exist during the late 19th to early 20th century.
The story begins in the 1940s when French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur pioneered the invention of the first pipette, simplifying the process of liquid transfer while minimizing contamination risks. Building upon Pasteur's work, German physician Heinrich Schnitger developed the prototype of the micropipette in the 1950s, revolutionizing liquid transfer in laboratories.
Schnitger's journey to this achievement was remarkable. Encountering the prevalent practice of manually pipetting liquids using mouth-operated glass pipettes during his tenure at the University of Marburg, Germany, Schnitger was motivated to devise a safer alternative. His motivation stemmed from his research project, which required precise liquid collection for subsequent analysis, involving hazardous substances like 80% formic acid.
In 1957, Schnitger successfully devised the world's first micropipette by ingeniously modifying a tuberculin syringe and incorporating a polyethylene pipette tip. Recognizing the immense potential of this invention, Schnitger further refined the device with the support of Theodor Bücher, the Director of the Institute of Physiological Chemistry at the University of Marburg.
Schnitger's micropipette marked a watershed moment in medical and biochemical research, significantly reducing experiment execution time and enhancing convenience. Further advancements, such as the introduction of an adjustable format by scientists Warren Gilson and Henry Lardy in the 1970s, propelled micropipette technology forward.
In the 21st century, unprecedented strides in innovation have led to the development of highly advanced and automated micropipette models, becoming indispensable tools in scientific research labs worldwide. Moreover, the global market value of disposable pipette tips has surged in recent years, reflecting the indispensable role of pipetting instruments in modern laboratory practices.
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