Device and process for sample preparation

A device for performing an in-situ preparation of a sample, said preparation comprising a number of steps and involving at least two substances, the device comprising:

• at least one elongated cavity, said cavity having upper and lower openings spaced along a longitudinal axis (X) of the device;
• said cavity having a substance receiving portion extending between a top open end and a bottom of the substance receiving portion, and having dimensions sufficient to receive therein through the upper opening a predetermined amount of material required for each of said steps;
• and
• a membrane constituting the bottom of the substance receiving portion and having such a structure as to allow fluid disposed in the substance receiving portion at least in one of the steps, to be transferred therefrom through the membrane towards the lower open end of the cavity only when vacuum is applied thereto via the lower opening;
• wherein the membrane is made of a hydrophobic material, which is free of absorption properties at least with respect to said substances, thereby allowing a clot formed thereon in the substance receiving portion by mixing said substances and, optionally, incubating the mixture in the substance receiving portion, to cover the membrane only partially, more particularly, in the range of 50-80% of the membrane area.