A modular sample store comprising: a storage area for storing storage stacks, each storage stack holding at least one sample container; a service area located adjacent the storage area; a transfer area located above the storage area and the service area; and characterized in that a motorized robot is located in the transfer area, the motorized robot moves and acts in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system and includes a spatula, an insulated hood located above the storage area and a lifting device, the lifting device being configured to at least partially lift a predetermined storage stack into the insulated hood from the storage area to thermally insulate the storage stack from a temperature outside of the insulated hood above the storage area and up to a position which is accessible by the spatula, the spatula being configured to support a selected sample container of the at least one sample container for moving the selected sample container between the storage stack and a platform of the motorized robot, the platform being for temporarily keeping and transporting the selected sample container from the insulated hood above the storage area, wherein the motorized robot is configured to, place the spatula into the insulated hood below a selected sample container, engage the selected sample container in the predetermined storage stack with the spatula, move the spatula horizontally to remove the selected sample container of the predetermined storage stack from the insulated hood and move the spatula to horizontally move the same or a different sample container to the storage stack. a storage area for storing storage stacks, each storage stack holding at least one sample container; a service area located adjacent the storage area; a transfer area located above the storage area and the service area; and characterized in that a motorized robot is located in the transfer area, the motorized robot moves and acts in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system and includes a spatula, an insulated hood located above the storage area and a lifting device, the lifting device being configured to at least partially lift a predetermined storage stack into the insulated hood from the storage area to thermally insulate the storage stack from a temperature outside of the insulated hood above the storage area and up to a position which is accessible by the spatula, the spatula being configured to support a selected sample container of the at least one sample container for moving the selected sample container between the storage stack and a platform of the motorized robot, the platform being for temporarily keeping and transporting the selected sample container from the insulated hood above the storage area, wherein the motorized robot is configured to, place the spatula into the insulated hood below a selected sample container, engage the selected sample container in the predetermined storage stack with the spatula, move the spatula horizontally to remove the selected sample container of the predetermined storage stack from the insulated hood and move the spatula to horizontally move the same or a different sample container to the storage stack. place the spatula into the insulated hood below a selected sample container, engage the selected sample container in the predetermined storage stack with the spatula, move the spatula horizontally to remove the selected sample container of the predetermined storage stack from the insulated hood and move the spatula to horizontally move the same or a different sample container to the storage stack.