The humble pipette tip is small, cheap, and essential to science. It promotes research on new drugs, Covid-19 diagnostics, and every blood test in history.
But now, due to power outages, fires, and pandemic-related demands, a series of untimely interruptions in the pipette tip supply chain have caused a global shortage, threatening almost every corner of the scientific community.
The shortage of pipette tips has threatened plans across the country that screen newborn babies for fatal diseases, such as the inability to digest sugar in breast milk. It is threatening universities to conduct experiments in stem cell genetics. This is forcing biotech companies that are committed to developing new drugs to consider prioritizing certain experiments.
Currently, there is no sign that this shortage will disappear anytime soon, and if the situation gets worse, scientists may have to start delaying experiments or even abandon part of their work.
Gabrielle Bostwick, laboratory manager of Octant Bio, a California-based synthetic biology startup, said: “The idea that science can be carried out without science is ridiculous.”
Most of the biotech companies interviewed by STAT stated that they are taking steps to protect the limited pipettes, and so far, there is no need to stop working.
For example, Octant scientists are very selective about using filtered pipette tips. These techniques (which are difficult to obtain recently) provide an extra layer of protection for the samples to prevent the entry of external contaminants, but they cannot be sterilized and reused. Therefore, they are committed to allowing them to engage in activities that may be particularly sensitive.
The sudden outbreak of Covid-19 testing last year-every test relied on pipette tips-undoubtedly played a role. However, the impact of natural disasters and other weird accidents in the supply chain has gradually spread to the laboratory.
The devastating state-wide power outage in Texas killed more than 100 people and broke a key link in the complex pipette supply chain. These power outages forced Exxon Mobil and other companies to temporarily close factories in the state, some of which produce polypropylene resin (used as a raw material for pipette tips).
According to a March speech, Exxon Mobil’s plant in the Houston area is the company’s second largest polypropylene producer in 2020. Only its Singapore plant has higher output. Two of ExxonMobil’s three largest polyethylene plants are also located in Texas. (In April 2020, Exxon Mobil even increased the polypropylene production of two U.S. factories.)
“After the winter storm in February this year, it is estimated that more than 85% of the polypropylene production capacity in the United States was adversely affected due to various problems, such as rupture of pipes in production plants and loss of electricity and electricity. Important raw materials.” A Total spokesperson said. Total is located in Houston and is another oil and gas company that produces polypropylene.
However, since last summer, the supply chain has been under pressure-well before the deep freeze in February. Raw materials below normal levels are not the only factor limiting the supply chain-pipette tips are not the only shortage of plastic-based laboratory equipment.
Documents posted on the University of Pittsburgh website show that a manufacturing plant fire also knocked down 80% of the country’s supply of containers for old pipette tips and other sharp objects.
Post time: May-14-2021