An apparatus comprising: a frame configured to hold sample containers in an array of sample holder locations, each sample container being disposed in the two dimensional array with a longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container extending outward of the array plane; a drive section connected to the frame; characterized in that the apparatus comprises: at least one transfer arm rotatably connected to the drive section so that each transfer arm rotates about a respective rotation axis oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container, each transfer arm including a sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') configured to grip a sample container; at least one pusher member (420, 430) movably connected to the drive section, the at least one pusher member (420, 430) being distinct from the sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') and configured for linear movement along the longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container relative to a respective transfer arm and sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"'), the at least one pusher member (420, 430) being configured so that engagement with at least a bottom or top surface of the sample container effects longitudinal translation of the sample container for one or more of capture and release of the sample container by the respective transfer arm in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis (SCLA); and an isolation member that divides the frame into isolated environments so that the drive section is isolated in a drive section chamber from an environment of a ultra-low temperature chamber in which the at least one transfer arm and respective sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') operate. a frame configured to hold sample containers in an array of sample holder locations, each sample container being disposed in the two dimensional array with a longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container extending outward of the array plane; a drive section connected to the frame; characterized in that the apparatus comprises: at least one transfer arm rotatably connected to the drive section so that each transfer arm rotates about a respective rotation axis oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container, each transfer arm including a sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') configured to grip a sample container; at least one pusher member (420, 430) movably connected to the drive section, the at least one pusher member (420, 430) being distinct from the sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') and configured for linear movement along the longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container relative to a respective transfer arm and sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"'), the at least one pusher member (420, 430) being configured so that engagement with at least a bottom or top surface of the sample container effects longitudinal translation of the sample container for one or more of capture and release of the sample container by the respective transfer arm in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis (SCLA); and an isolation member that divides the frame into isolated environments so that the drive section is isolated in a drive section chamber from an environment of a ultra-low temperature chamber in which the at least one transfer arm and respective sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') operate. at least one transfer arm rotatably connected to the drive section so that each transfer arm rotates about a respective rotation axis oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container, each transfer arm including a sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') configured to grip a sample container; at least one pusher member (420, 430) movably connected to the drive section, the at least one pusher member (420, 430) being distinct from the sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') and configured for linear movement along the longitudinal axis (SCLA) of the sample container relative to a respective transfer arm and sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"'), the at least one pusher member (420, 430) being configured so that engagement with at least a bottom or top surface of the sample container effects longitudinal translation of the sample container for one or more of capture and release of the sample container by the respective transfer arm in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis (SCLA); and an isolation member that divides the frame into isolated environments so that the drive section is isolated in a drive section chamber from an environment of a ultra-low temperature chamber in which the at least one transfer arm and respective sample container gripper (440A, 440A', 440A", 440A"') operate.