The present invention relates to sample holders for holding a sample, particularly for an atomic force microscope. Such a sample holder comprising a sample dish (1) comprising a bottom (2), and an opening (3) arranged in said bottom (2) for receiving and holding the sample (15). Furthermore the present invention relates to a sample holder system and to a method for transferring an e.g. biological sample (15) from a biopsy tool (18) to a sample holder.