Large dead volumes in storage tubes are particularly concerning for users handling precious samples, such as stem cells, enzymes, antibody solutions and difficult-to-make compounds. Although there is flexibility to reduce dead volume using carefully practiced manual pipetting techniques, high-throughput labs need to use automated liquid handling systems that have, by definition, only a limited range of motions.
To optimise sample recovery, it is necessary to consider which factors contribute to the scale of the dead volume in sample storage tubes. Research by Azenta Life Sciences showed that to improve maximum sample recovery, internal compound-curve tapers should be designed near the bottom of the storage tube to reduce total volume stored in this area whilst still allowing industry-standard pipette tips access to as near the bottom of the tube as possible.
Volume (µl) of sample lost per tube over one hundred cycles (courtesy: Azenta Life Sciences)
This research showed that there are clear benefits to the new 1.6ml Maximum Recovery tube design compared to a standard design sample storage tube. Sample recovery from the 1.6ml Maximum Recovery tubes was found to be 16ml more than the 1.9ml tubes over a run of 100 tubes. With expensive reagents or valuable samples, this can quickly accumulate into substantial savings.
The unique design of the 1.6ml Maximum Recovery tube will enable users to not only maximise the recovery of precious samples, but also to save on reagent purchasing costs with a mind towards sustainable practices along the entire supply chain. For further information please visit https://www.azenta.com/taxonomy/term/201.
Tri-Coded sample storage tubes from Azenta Life Sciences offer market leading sample audit traceability, enabling sample tracking and data sharing between multiple users, labs, locations, and automation capabilities. Designed and developed with broad compatibility in mind, these sample tubes perform without compromise in conjunction with most automated barcode reading, capping and sample management systems. Tri-Coded sample tubes from Azenta Life Sciences provide a lifelong and secure chain of custody for samples in biobanks, compound libraries and a broad range of biological and chemical stores, including cryogenic storage.