In a scenario where a laboratory is required to perform a plurality of tests on biological samples from a plurality of tubes in a manner that satisfies certain constraints, it is possible that the laboratory could handle the samples and assign them to machines in a manner which ensures that the relevant constraints are met. This could include using matrices and optimization functions to represent tubes, tests, machines and prescriptions, and could also include dynamically determining whether and how to aliquot the samples so as to meet the constraints given the conditions under which the samples would be processed.