Apparatus for cutting up biological sample material

An apparatus for cutting up biological sample material comprising a sample container, a rotary drive device separate from the sample container and a shaft rotatably arranged in the sample container, wherein the shaft has a laterally projecting cutting device in the vicinity of one working end and has an externally accessible coupling member in the vicinity of a coupling end, which is constructed for coupling engagement with a complementary coupling member of the rotary drive device, wherein the complementary coupling member is constructed in the form of at least one projection, which projects laterally from the shaft and extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein the shaft is arranged axially movably and with lateral guidance in the sample container, the coupling member and the complementary coupling member are constructed to produce a coupling engagement which is positive in the direction of rotation but permits axial movement and the cutting device is constructed in the shape of a propeller such that it exerts an advancing force in the direction of the coupling end on the shaft when the shaft rotates in the working direction.