Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening a collection of nucleic acid molecules for a desired property of the nucleic acid or of a (poly)peptide encoded thereof, comprising the steps (a) automated picking of the cell collection containing the collection of nucleic acid molecules with a first robot; (b) automated lysis of the cells with a second robot; (c) automated separation of the cell DNA from the cell debris with a second robot; (d) optionally automated separation of endotoxins from the DNA with the second robot if the cells are bacteria; (e) automated transfection of the cells with the DNA obtained in step (c) or, if the cells are bacteria, with the DNA obtained in step (d) with a third robot; and (f) automated screening for the desired property with a fourth robot.