System and processes for isolation and enrichment by magnetic separation

The system for magnetic bead-based sample preparation comprising:

• a rack,
• at least one pipettor,
• a mounting surface with a plurality of mounting positions for vials and pipette tips wherein the rack is configured to hold pipette tips and a combination of sample and supply vials at the plurality of mounting positions compatible with the at least one pipettor,
• at least one slidable magnet disposed for contact with a side wall of a vial, the at least one slidable magnet comprising at least one of a motor actuator, manual actuation, or nests mateable with the at least one pipettor wherein the at least one pipettor actuates the at least one slidable magnets, configured to be slid adjacent to and away from at least one vial,
• a rail and backplate arrangement that further comprises backplates and linear rails, wherein an inner side of each of the backplates is provided with the respective linear rail, and at least one magnet rack is slidably provided on the linear rails and configured to enable the at least one slidable magnet to move lineraly along the linear rails, and
• a lock configured to secure the rack to an instrument table to maintain positional accuracy.