Method and apparatus for automated processing of pooled samples

A method for automated processing of samples to be analyzed, comprising the following steps:

• a) providing samples to be analyzed in containers, each container bearing a machine-readable label,
• b) optionally, pooling of samples from a) into at least one sample pool in containers, each container bearing a machine-readable label,
• c) adding a solution configured for cellular lysis together with magnetic beads configured for binding nucleic acids to the samples or sample pools from steps a) or b),
• d) binding the nucleic acids in the samples or sample pools to the magnetic beads,
• e) binding the magnetic beads in the samples or sample pools to a magnet,
• f) pooling the beads from step e) by transferring the magnetic beads from at least 2 samples or sample pools into a previously presented, shared container,
• g) repeating steps a) to f) with at least one other set of samples to be analyzed,
• h) pooling the beads of the sample pools from steps f) and g) into a shared beads pool from at least 4 sample pools,
• i) repeating steps a) to h) with at least one other set of samples to be analyzed,
• j) transferring the beads of at least 2 sample pools from steps h) and i) into a beads pool,
• k) eluting nucleic acids from the beads in the pool from step j) with elution buffer, and
• l) detecting the eluted nucleic acids from step k) using one or several nucleic acid detection methods.