Tips and Tricks
Set up equipment and reagents in the biosafety hood to prevent exposure to potential aerosols.
Set the IMS kit out on the counter upon arrival at the laboratory on the day IMS will be performed to ensure that reagents reach room temperature.
The graduations on the centrifuge tubes are not always accurate, try the following to ensure accuracy:
Use a set of calibrated centrifuge tubes.
Use the transfer pipette to measure the actual volume transferred.
Use a flat-sided tube containing 12 mL of water for comparison.
Calculate the rinse volumes for the sample volume transferred to bring the total volume in the flat-sided tube to 12 mL.
Plastic, disposable, serological pipettes work well for transfers.
Be sure that the pipette fits into the centrifuge tube used, in both diameter and length.
A pipette aid may eliminate repetitive motion stress.
While dispensing, steady the pipette by placing the tip inside the opening of the flat-sided tube.