Abstract: To enable contactless laser microdissection in a closed container (10, 11), for example in the form of a Petri dish, it is proposed according to the invention to use a holding device which comprises a receiving portion (4) for arrangement in the container (10, 11) and a holding portion (1) for arrangement externally of the container (10, 11). The receiving portion (4) serves to receive at least one receiving means (9), which serves in turn to receive or collect at least one biological specimen obtained by laser microdissection from biological material (15) located in the container (10, 11). The holding portion (1) is coupled to the receiving portion (4) in contactless manner, for example by means of magnetic coupling, in such a way that, by moving the holding portion (1), the receiving portion (4), together with the receiving means (9) held thereby, may be positioned in the closed container (10, 11) precisely over the biological specimen in each case to be received.

Abstract: In order to allow automatic separation and recovery of biological or non-biological objects from a mass, which is located on a mount (3), by means of laser irradiation, a collecting apparatus (2) is proposed which has control means (7, 50) for automatic production of adjustment signals for the adjustment means (13), wherein the adjustment means adjust and hence position, as a function of these adjustment signals, a holding unit (19) having at least one collecting means (21) which is or are used for collecting an object which is released from the mass.