Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automated sample analysis are provided in which a plurality actuators are involved in moving a samples from one compartment to another, and appropriate reactants are combined with the sample in one or more of the compartments. The actuators are preferably contained in a device that also has a detector, data reduction capabilities, and a printer. Contemplated signal detectors include a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, and a charge-coupled device. Steps contemplated to be performed automatically include aliquoting the sample, diluting the sample, contacting at least a portion of the sample with a reagent having a substantially selective binding towards the analyte. Contemplated reactants include sense and antisense nucleic acids, antibodies and antigens, solid-phases such as paramagnetic beads, reagents, other substrates, and wash solutions.