Abstract: A microplate handling apparatus comprising: a base; and a robotic arm mounted on the base; wherein the base has at least one attachment mechanism for attaching a microplate storage device to the base; and wherein the base has at least one instrument alignment mechanism for defining a positional relationship between the robotic arm and an instrument. By providing for attachment of one or more microplate storage devices and one or more instruments to the base, the positional relationships between the robot and the microplate handling/storing devices (i.e. the microplate storage devices and the instruments) can be well-defined without having to secure any of the components (base, microplate storage devices or instruments) to a bench. The whole system can simply sit on top of a bench without any risk of relative movement between the various parts of the system. Instead the whole system is connected together and can be moved as one unit.