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. <EOS>