DNase/RNase-Free Laboratory Consumables for Sample Preparation, Liquid Handling and Storage

Laboratory consumables are an integral part of every experimental workflow. Tubes, pipette tips, cryogenic vials, serological pipettes and microbiology products come into direct contact with samples and reagents. Their material, cleanliness, sterility and surface properties can therefore influence sample recovery, contamination control and experimental reproducibility.

The product selection presented in this article includes polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes, conical centrifuge tubes, low-retention products, sterile filter tips, cryogenic storage systems and microbiology consumables for molecular biology, cell culture, analytical chemistry and routine laboratory use.

DNase/RNase-free consumables are laboratory products manufactured and tested to reduce detectable contamination by enzymes capable of degrading DNA and RNA.

Why does laboratory consumable selection matter?

A consumable is not simply a passive container or transfer device. Its material and design can affect:

• Sample recovery
• Pipetting accuracy
• Nucleic-acid integrity
• Aerosol formation
• Cross-contamination
• Trace-element background
• Centrifugation performance
• Sample storage
• Microbial culture conditions
• Workflow reproducibility

The correct product should be selected according to the sample type, required volume, centrifugation conditions, sterility requirements and analytical sensitivity of the experiment.

What does DNase/RNase free mean?

DNases are enzymes that degrade DNA, while RNases degrade RNA. Even small amounts of nuclease contamination may affect workflows involving low-concentration nucleic acids.

DNase/RNase-free consumables are particularly relevant for:

• DNA extraction
• RNA purification
• PCR
• RT-PCR
• Quantitative PCR
• Cloning
• Sequencing-library preparation
• Gene-expression analysis
• Nucleic-acid storage
• Molecular diagnostic research

DNase/RNase-free status and sterility are separate characteristics. A product may be nuclease free without being sterile.

Microcentrifuge tubes for routine sample preparation

Polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes are used for small-volume centrifugation, reagent preparation, sample aliquoting and storage.

1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes

Micro Centrifuge Tubes, PP, 1.5 mL, DNase/RNase free - 500 units

The 1.5 mL format is widely used for:

• DNA and RNA extraction
• Protein preparation
• PCR reagent aliquoting
• Enzyme reactions
• Cell-pellet processing
• Sample clarification
• Routine microcentrifugation

2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes

Micro Centrifuge Tubes, PP, 2.0 mL, DNase/RNase free - 500 units

The 2.0 mL format provides additional volume and headspace for:

• Bead-based purification
• Larger extraction volumes
• Vortex mixing
• Sample homogenization
• Protein precipitation
• Buffer preparation
• Reagent storage

Low-retention microcentrifuge tubes

Low-retention tubes are designed to reduce the amount of sample remaining on the inner surface after pipetting, mixing or centrifugation.

The promoted formats include:

• Low-Retention Micro Centrifuge Tubes, PP, 1.5 mL, DNase/RNase free - 500 units
• Low-Retention Micro Centrifuge Tubes, PP, 2.0 mL, DNase/RNase free - 500 units

Low-retention tubes may be useful for:

• Low-concentration proteins
• Antibodies
• Peptides
• Enzymes
• DNA and RNA samples
• Detergent-containing buffers
• Viscous solutions
• Fluorescent reagents
• Expensive or limited samples

Low-retention performance may depend on sample concentration, buffer composition, surface-contact time and analyte characteristics.

Conical centrifuge tubes for sample separation

Conical centrifuge tubes are used for larger-volume sample handling, cell harvesting, washing, mixing and centrifugation.

15 mL conical tubes

Available configurations include:

• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 15 mL, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units
• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 15 mL, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units

Common applications include:

• Cell washing
• Bacterial culture processing
• Sample dilution
• Protein precipitation
• Nucleic-acid extraction
• Reagent preparation
• Sample transport

50 mL conical tubes

Available formats include:

• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 50 mL, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units
• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 50 mL, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units
• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 50 mL, self-standing, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units

The 50 mL format is appropriate for:

• Cell-culture preparation
• Large-volume sample washing
• Bacterial culture harvesting
• Buffer preparation
• Density-gradient workflows
• Environmental sample handling
• Reagent storage

A self-standing tube can remain upright on a flat surface during filling or pipetting.

Trace-metal-free centrifuge tubes

Trace-element analysis can be affected by contamination introduced through collection tubes, preparation vessels, reagents or the laboratory environment.

Trace-metal-free tubes are intended for workflows requiring controlled elemental backgrounds.

Available formats include:

• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 15 mL, trace-metal free, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units
• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 50 mL, trace-metal free, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 20 × 25 units
• Conical Centrifuge Tube, PP, 50 mL, self-standing, bulk, trace-metal free, DNase/RNase free - 500 units

Potential applications include:

• ICP-MS
• ICP-OES
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy
• Environmental water analysis
• Soil and sediment testing
• Food analysis
• Elemental-impurity research
• Toxicology
• Pharmaceutical research
• Industrial quality control

Cryogenic vials for low-temperature sample storage

Cryogenic vials are designed for organized storage of biological samples at low temperatures.

External-thread cryogenic vials

Cryo Vial, external thread, star foot, PP, 1.8 mL, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 1,000 units

An external-thread design keeps the screw thread outside the internal sample area.

Potential applications include:

• Cell-bank storage
• Microbial strain preservation
• Serum and plasma aliquots
• DNA and RNA storage
• Protein samples
• Reference materials
• Research biobanking

Internal-thread cryogenic vials

Cryo Vial, internal thread, star foot, silicone seal, PP, 1.8 mL, sterile, DNase/RNase free - 1,000 units

The silicone seal supports closure integrity, while the star-foot design can facilitate one-handed operation with a compatible rack.

Cryogenic storage boxes

Cryogenic boxes provide structured row-and-column organization for frozen samples.

Available formats include:

• Cryo Box, hinged lid, PP, 81 places, 9 × 9 array, green, freezer-rack compatible - 4 units
• Cryo Box, PC, compatible with 1.0 and 1.8 mL cryovials, 81 places, assorted colours - 4 units

Cryo boxes support:

• Sample indexing
• Colour-coded organization
• Freezer-rack compatibility
• Project separation
• Biobank inventory management
• Rapid sample retrieval

Standard pipette tips for routine liquid handling

Bulk polypropylene pipette tips are suitable for routine laboratory transfer procedures.

Available volume ranges include:

These tips cover:

• PCR preparation
• Molecular biology
• Immunoassay workflows
• Cell-culture reagent preparation
• Buffer dispensing
• Sample dilution
• General liquid handling

Tip compatibility should be confirmed with the pipette model used in the laboratory.

Low-retention pipette tips

Low-retention pipette tips are designed to reduce liquid adherence inside the tip.

Available sterile racked formats include:

• 0.1-10 µL, low retention, sterile - 10 × 96 tips
• 1-200 µL, low retention, sterile - 10 × 96 tips
• 100-1,000 µL, low retention, sterile - 10 × 96 tips

Low-retention tips may improve handling of:

• Proteins
• Enzymes
• Master mixes
• Detergent-containing buffers
• Glycerol-containing reagents
• Viscous liquids
• Low-surface-tension liquids
• Expensive standards

Sterile filter pipette tips

Filter tips contain a barrier between the liquid and pipette cone. They are used to reduce aerosol transfer and contamination of the pipette shaft.

Available sterile racked formats include:

• 0.1-10 µL
• 1-20 µL
• 1-100 µL
• 1-200 µL
• 100-1,000 µL
• 100-1,250 µL

Filter tips are useful for:

• PCR
• qPCR
• RNA workflows
• Sequencing-library preparation
• Cell culture
• Microbiology
• Low-copy DNA templates
• Amplified nucleic acids
• Contamination-sensitive samples

Low-retention filter pipette tips

Low-retention filter tips combine:

1. An aerosol barrier for contamination control.
2. A low-retention surface for improved liquid recovery.

Available sterile racked formats include:

• 0.1-10 µL
• 1-20 µL
• 1-100 µL
• 100-1,000 µL
• 100-1,250 µL

These products are suitable for workflows involving both sensitive samples and contamination risk.

Sterile serological pipettes

Sterile serological pipettes are used for millilitre-scale liquid transfer.

Available volumes include:

Applications include:

• Cell-culture media transfer
• Buffer preparation
• Reagent dispensing
• Suspension mixing
• Sample dilution
• Bacterial culture handling
• Larger-volume liquid transfer

Each pipette is individually wrapped to preserve sterility until use.

Low-affinity Pasteur pipettes

Low-affinity LDPE Pasteur pipettes are intended for rapid, non-volumetric transfer.

Available sizes include:

• 1.0 mL - 500 units
• 3.0 mL - 500 units

They can be used for:

• Transferring supernatants
• Adding stains
• Removing wash solutions
• Culture-media handling
• Microscopy sample preparation
• General reagent transfer

Pasteur pipettes are not intended to replace calibrated pipettes for precise quantitative dispensing.

Petri dishes for microbiology

The promoted Petri dishes measure 90 × 15.8 mm and contain three vents.

Available formats include:

• Aseptic, sleeves of 20 - 480 units
• Gamma-sterile, sleeves of 20 - 480 units

Three-vent designs support air circulation when dishes are stacked.

Potential applications include:

• Bacterial culture
• Fungal culture
• Colony isolation
• Environmental monitoring
• Food microbiology
• Water testing
• Culture-media quality control
• Teaching laboratories

Sterile inoculation loops

Available calibrated inoculation loops include:

• 1 µL, sterile, white, individually wrapped - 500 units
• 10 µL, sterile, blue, individually wrapped - 500 units

These loops can be used for:

• Colony streaking
• Microbial suspension transfer
• Urine-culture inoculation
• Pure-colony isolation
• Semi-quantitative microbiology
• Laboratory training

The different colours help distinguish the calibrated loop volumes.

Complete pipetting starter packs

Complete starter packs provide adjustable pipettes, compatible tip boxes, pipette stands and accessories for new or standardized liquid-handling workstations.

Starter Pack 01

Includes:

• 0.5–10 µL adjustable pipette
• 10–100 µL adjustable pipette
• 100–1,000 µL adjustable pipette
• Compatible tip boxes
• Five-place linear pipette stand
• Benchtop pipette hangers
• Laboratory accessories

Starter Pack 02

Includes:

• 2-20 µL adjustable pipette
• 20-200 µL adjustable pipette
• 100-1,000 µL adjustable pipette
• Compatible tip boxes
• Five-place linear pipette stand
• Benchtop pipette hangers
• Laboratory accessories

How to select the correct laboratory consumable

Frequently asked questions

What does DNase/RNase free mean?

=> It means that the consumable is manufactured and tested to minimize detectable contamination by enzymes capable of degrading DNA or RNA.

Does DNase/RNase free mean sterile?

=> No. Nuclease-free status and sterility are separate product specifications.

What is the difference between standard and low-retention tubes?

=> Standard tubes support routine sample preparation. Low-retention tubes are designed to reduce liquid and analyte adhesion to the internal surface.

Why should filter pipette tips be used?

=> Filter tips help reduce aerosol transfer and contamination of the pipette shaft. They are commonly used for PCR, RNA work and contamination-sensitive applications.

Are filter tips the same as low-retention tips?

=> No. Filter tips provide an aerosol barrier. Low-retention tips reduce liquid adhesion. Some products combine both features.

Why use trace-metal-free centrifuge tubes?

=> They help reduce background contamination in sensitive elemental-analysis procedures such as ICP-MS and ICP-OES.

What is the advantage of a self-standing centrifuge tube?

=> A self-standing tube remains upright on a flat laboratory surface, simplifying filling, pipetting and sample organization.

What is the difference between internal-thread and external-thread cryovials?

=> Internal-thread vials have the screw thread inside the vial neck, while external-thread vials place it outside the sample opening. Internal-thread formats may include a sealing ring.

What is the purpose of a cryogenic storage box?

=> A cryogenic box organizes frozen vials by position, colour, sample type or project and facilitates storage in freezer racks.

Are serological pipettes suitable for microlitre dispensing?

=> No. Serological pipettes are intended for millilitre-scale transfers. Adjustable micropipettes should be used for precise microlitre volumes.

What is the difference between aseptic and gamma-sterile Petri dishes?

=> Aseptic dishes are manufactured and packaged under controlled conditions. Gamma-sterile dishes undergo a validated irradiation process.