The Right Pin Tool - Considerations
The most important feature to consider is the transfer volume range. However, there are multiple factors that affect volume transfer. We have conducted experiments on 6 factors to help you select the best pin for your application. Filling out the Pin Tool Questionnaire before reading this blog will help your understanding of the necessary considerations.
- Pin Diameter More liquid is transferred on a solid pin with a large diameter as a Hanging Drop. See Chart for Range of Transfer in DMSO and Aqueous Solutions.
- Slot vs Solid Pin and Size More liquid is transferred with a Slot Pin than with a Solid Pin and the larger the slot the more is transferred. See Chart.
- Pin Withdrawl Speed from the Source Liquid The faster the withdrawal speed the more liquid is transferred. This phenomenon allows you to significantly adjust the volume transferred with your robot’s speed. See Chart.
- Volume of Fluid in the Source Plate Maintaining consistent volume in plates using Solid Pins is more important than when using Slot Pins. See Chart.
- Pin Surface Tension Hydrophobic Coated pins transfer slightly less than uncoated pins. See Chart
- Surface Tension of the Transferred Liquid Aqueous and DMSO have different surface tensions which can also be changed by adding protein (BSA), DNA, or surfactants like tween 20. See Chart
The Decision Tree Of Choosing a Robot Pin Tool
Step One – Pick Mounting Plate for your Robot
This choice will allow the Pin Tool to be manipulated by the robot’s pipettor or plate handler. Which of these robot functions has the greatest range of withdrawal speeds? If you haven’t purchased a robot yet, talked to us about which one would be best suited for your application.Step Two – Pick Source Plate Transfer Volume
If the volume in the source wells are low or variable select a slot pin because they fill by capillary action and are less affected by the volume in the source well. If the source well volume is high or constant select a solid pin as they are more economical. If the pin will transfer a liquid to an agar surface, select a solid pin as they are easier to clean off carry-over agar. More liquid is transferred with a Slot Pin than with a Solid Pin and the larger the slot the more is transferred. See Chart. Maintaining consistent volume in plates using Solid Pins is more important than when using Slot Pins. See Chart.Step Three – Pick a Desired Pin Transfer Volume
Pick a Pin based on the combined conditions of the volume in the source microplate, the nature of the liquid (Aqueous, DMSO) and its surface tension (BSA, DNA or Tween 20) the diameter and shape of the wells, and the speed range of withdrawal of your robot. See Charts for the Range of Transfer in DMSO and Aqueous Solutions. The faster the withdrawal speed the more liquid is transferred. This phenomenon allows you to significantly adjust the volume transferred with your robot’s speed. See Chart. Select hydrophobic pin coating if the analyte will non-specific bind to stainless steel Hydrophobic Coated pins transfer slightly less than uncoated pins. See Chart.We also offer sterile and non- sterile 96 and 384 pin disposable polypropylene pin tools that can be manipulated robotically, these each deliver ~ 100 nl.