System for processing closed sample tubes

The present invention refers to a system (900) for processing sample tubes (12) comprising biological samples, the system (900) comprising two or more work cells (901-909) for processing samples, wherein in correspondence to at least two of the work cells (901-909), the system comprises one of the following units: a pipetting unit (921-928) for withdrawing a volume of sample from a sample tube to be processed by the work cell and/or dispensing a volume of liquid into the sample tube, an analytical unit (931, 937) for determining at least one sample parameter of a sample contained in a sample tube. The system (900) further comprises a decapping/recapping device (911-918) for each of the at least two work cells (901-908) for removing a closure (11) from a sample tube (12) and for reclosing the sample tube (12) before it is transported to another work cell (901-909).