Enhancing precision and control in modern cell culture workflows

The accuracy, precision and speed of liquid handling are fundamental to experimental success in cell culture laboratories. Even small deviations in volume or flow rate across a variety of routine tasks —from media changes and passaging to maintaining sensitive stem cell lines — can compromise cell viability, reproducibility and downstream data quality. These tasks are also performed repeatedly, often for hours at a time, placing high demands on both technique and ergonomics. Reliable serological pipetting therefore plays a critical role in ensuring consistent culture conditions, protecting delicate cell monolayers and maintaining productivity across busy labs. At the same time, research is becoming increasingly complex and time-sensitive, so tools that enhance control, efficiency and user comfort are essential for supporting robust and reproducible cell culture workflows.

The Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry is a research center located in Martinsried, a suburb of Munich, with extensive cell culture experience. The department has around 35 staff, with one-third of them working across two cell culture labs that handle a variety of mammalian and stem cell lines. The team uses four PIPETBOY GENIUS serological pipet controllers from INTEGRA Biosciences to streamline their cell culture workflows. These devices have improved the speed and precision of serological pipetting, while also making repetitive tasks more convenient and comfortable for users, thanks to their aliquoting function and ergonomic design.

Driving reproducibility through precise dispensing

Precision is critical in cell culture, where even minor variations in dispensed volumes can influence cell behavior, assay consistency and overall experimental reproducibility. Ensuring that each well receives exactly the same amount of liquid is essential for generating reliable, comparable results. The repeat dispense function of the PIPETBOY GENIUS — which works in combination with INTEGRA serological pipets — is ideal for this application, improving the precision of various workflows. This function enables a large, defined volume to be aspirated, then smaller pre-set volumes to be dispensed at the press of a button.

Albert Ries, a technician at the institute with over 30 years of experience performing cell cultures, explained the benefit of this feature to their research: “The repeat dispense function is so convenient to simply press a button and dispense. You don’t have to read the volume every time, which makes filling multiple wells fast, easy and — most importantly — precise. Most serological pipet controllers simply don’t have this — you usually have to read the pipet graduations and control the volume yourself.”

Protecting delicate cultures with controlled flow

The Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry handles delicate cell monolayers, which requires exceptional control over liquid flow to prevent disruption and maintain culture integrity. Even slight splashing or overflow can damage cells or cause cross-contamination between neighbouring wells when routinely pipetting into small culture dishes and multiwell plates. The enhanced flow control of the PIPETBOY GENIUS has made a noticeable difference to this, as Albert explained: “This pipet controller is very sensitive to variations in finger pressure, so we now have much finer control over liquid flow. The flow speed of the device also follows a sigmoid curve, so that it starts slower to avoid splashing, and then picks up speed before slowing down again when you are approaching your preset volume. That’s something I have never experienced with a serological pipet controller before, and it’s so helpful, particularly when working with very small wells.”

Secure liquid handling

Secure pipet handling and user comfort are essential for both safety and efficiency in busy cell culture laboratories. Researchers frequently switch between different pipet sizes and volumes throughout the day, and any instability in grip can interrupt workflow, risk spills or compromise accuracy. At the same time, equipment must remain comfortable to use over extended periods to minimize strain and fatigue at the bench. Albert elaborated: “We handle many different volumes in our everyday applications; we have to dispense larger volumes of media, and multiple small volumes of substances like trypsin to release cells, so we need to be able to switch between pipets quickly and confidently. The PIPETBOY GENIUS has a unique gripper mechanism that holds every pipet securely, regardless of its size or weight. When I insert a pipet into the PIPETBOY GENIUS, it locks in with a firm and stable grip right away, and I can feel solid resistance, so I always know it’s properly held in place. Now I never worry about pipets slipping or falling out, even heavy, fully filled 25 ml pipets. What really stands out is that the grip doesn’t degrade with use; each pipet is held just as firmly as the last. It’s a clever improvement that solves a problem most people don’t even realize can be fixed.”

Supporting comfort and efficiency at the lab bench

Ergonomic design also plays a vital role in cell culture laboratories, where repetitive pipetting tasks can occupy hours of a researcher’s day. Equipment that is heavy, awkward or unintuitive not only slows workflows, but can also contribute to physical strain and mental fatigue over time. Albert explained how, despite its advanced features, the PIPETBOY GENIUS is still light and comfortable to use: “The handling is smooth and effortless, and the device feels great in the hand. The functionality has been clearly updated and improved, but it’s still easy to pick up and become proficient with quickly thanks to its intuitive design. I feel like the INTEGRA engineers really took the time to talk with people who work with cell cultures and observe what we actually need. The PIPETBOY GENIUS feels like the result of that. It’s been a big help for our team, truly improving liquid handling in cell culture workflows.”

Meeting the practical demands of modern cell culture

The success of liquid handling can depend on a careful balance of precision, control and user comfort in cell culture laboratories. Accurate dispensing protects reproducibility, controlled flow preserves delicate cell layers and secure, ergonomic handling supports productivity during long hours at the bench. The PIPETBOY GENIUS addresses each of these practical demands, aligning closely with the real-world needs of modern cell culture teams.