The ability to accurately dispense small volumes of liquid is critical in liquid handling and laboratory automation. Microliter dispensing—often referred to as micro dispensing—has gained increasing importance across a variety of scientific and industrial applications. Image Credit: Fluid Metering, Inc. This article takes a closer look at the field of microliter dispensing, explores where and how it's being used, and highlights how pumps from Fluid Metering are well-suited to meet the precision and reliability demands of these applications. Understanding Microliter Dispensing Microliter dispensing can be understood as the accurate, controlled delivery of liquid volumes in the microliter range, generally between 0.1 μL and 1000 μL. Minute amounts of liquid samples or reagents are transferred from one vessel to another in a highly precise and reproducible fashion. Applications of Microliter Dispensing Microliter dispensing is essential in a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, genomics, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and analytical chemistry. Genomics and Molecular Biology Microliter dispensing is central to molecular biology techniques such as DNA amplification and PCR (polymerase chain reaction). It facilitates the accurate addition of enzymes, reagents, and templates in small reaction volumes. Microliter dispensing is also key to high-throughput sequencing, genotyping, and gene expression analysis. Drug Discovery and Assay Development Microliter dispensing is important in pharmaceutical research for screening large compound libraries and performing dose-response assays. It also enables the precise addition of drug candidates, reagents, and controls to microwell plates. Microliter dispensing also has a role to play when it comes to preparing assay-ready plates for high-throughput screening. Microarray Technology Microliter dispensing can be used to deposit minute amounts of biological samples onto solid surfaces to create microarrays, for example, proteins, antibodies, or nucleic acids. Microarrays are used in proteomics, genomics, and diagnostics, enabling the high-throughput analysis of a range of biomolecules. Diagnostic Assays Microliter dispensing is instrumental in the development of lateral flow immunoassays, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and other diagnostic assays. Reliable results and accurate diagnoses are ensured by the accurate and precise dispensing of samples, reagents, and controls. Advantages and Challenges The accuracy and precise control afforded by microliter dispensing offers a number of key advantages, including increased throughput, improved data reliability, reduced reagent consumption, and overall cost savings. However, a range of challenges must be carefully addressed to ensure accurate results and experimental reproducibility. These challenges include liquid evaporation, sample loss, meniscus formation, and cross-contamination. Conclusion Microliter dispensing has significantly advanced liquid handling across a range of scientific and industrial fields. Its precision in delivering small liquid volumes has supported progress in areas such as genomics, drug discovery, diagnostics, and more. Fluid Metering’s ceramic, rotating, and reciprocating piston pumps are particularly well-suited for microliter dispensing thanks to several key advantages. The ceramic piston and liner offer excellent chemical compatibility, making them suitable for a wide variety of fluids—including corrosive or abrasive ones. The pump’s rotating and reciprocating motion enables precise volume control, ensuring accurate and repeatable results even at microliter scales. This level of precision is especially critical in microfluidic applications, where accurate fluid manipulation in small volumes is essential. In addition, Fluid Metering pumps feature low dead volume, minimizing waste and sample loss. Their compact design and high efficiency make them ideal for integration into microfluidic systems, supporting both miniaturization and high-throughput operations. Altogether, the accuracy, reliability, chemical compatibility, and efficiency of Fluid Metering pumps make them a strong fit for demanding microfluidic dispensing applications. Acknowledgments Produced from materials originally authored by Stephanie Moreau from Fluid Metering, Inc. About Fluid Metering, Inc. Fluid Metering, Inc. (FMI) is a worldwide leader in life science pumps and dispensers, having pioneered the first valve-less piston pump over 64 years ago. With specialized expertise in fluidics and applications, Fluid Metering, Inc. supports instrument developers in tackling complex fluidic challenges. Committed to innovation through collaboration, Fluid Metering, Inc. advances health, sustainability, and quality of life. 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