Automated high volume slide processing system

An automated method for processing a plurality of slides, the method comprising:

• robotically transporting a slide carrier to a stainer workstation while the slide carrier carries the plurality of slides;
• staining biological samples carried by the slides by separately dispensing fresh reagent onto individual slides of the plurality of slides after robotically transporting the slide carrier to the stainer workstation;
• and
• after staining the biological samples, robotically removing the slide carrier from the stainer workstation while the slide carrier carries the plurality of slides.

An automated method for processing a plurality of slides individually bearing biological samples, comprising:

• transporting a slide carrier to a stainer workstation using a transporter mechanism while the slide carrier holds the plurality of slides in a spaced apart horizontal arrangement;
• after transporting the slide carrier to the stainer workstation, separately delivering fresh reagent onto each individual slide of the plurality of slides held by the slide carrier such that a substantial amount of fresh reagent applied to one slide of the plurality of slides does not contact any other slides of the plurality of slides;
• and
• after separately delivering fresh reagent onto the individual slides, removing the slide carrier from the stainer workstation.