A device for isolating a target from a sample, the target being bound to solid phase substrate to form target bound solid phase substrate, comprising: a first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) for receiving at least a portion of the sample; a first reagent region (20, 24, 26) for receiving a reagent (70, 80, 172, 202), the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) and the first sample region separated by an air gap (74, 82, 174, 204, 206); a magnet for generating a magnetic force to draw the target bound solid phase substrate from the at least a portion of the sample, through the air gap (74, 82, 174, 204, 206) and into the reagent (70, 80, 172, 202); and characterised in that: the device comprises a first plate (40, 130) and a second plate (14, 104), wherein the first plate (40, 130) includes a first surface (42, 134), the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) being defined by a portion of the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130), and the second plate (14, 104) includes a first surface (16, 106), the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) being defined by a portion of the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104), wherein the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) is directed toward the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130), wherein: the magnet is adjacent the second plate (14, 104); the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130) external of the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) external of the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) thereof is hydrophobic. a first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) for receiving at least a portion of the sample; a first reagent region (20, 24, 26) for receiving a reagent (70, 80, 172, 202), the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) and the first sample region separated by an air gap (74, 82, 174, 204, 206); a magnet for generating a magnetic force to draw the target bound solid phase substrate from the at least a portion of the sample, through the air gap (74, 82, 174, 204, 206) and into the reagent (70, 80, 172, 202); and characterised in that: the device comprises a first plate (40, 130) and a second plate (14, 104), wherein the first plate (40, 130) includes a first surface (42, 134), the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) being defined by a portion of the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130), and the second plate (14, 104) includes a first surface (16, 106), the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) being defined by a portion of the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104), wherein the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) is directed toward the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130), wherein: the magnet is adjacent the second plate (14, 104); the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130) external of the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) external of the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) thereof is hydrophobic. the device comprises a first plate (40, 130) and a second plate (14, 104), wherein the first plate (40, 130) includes a first surface (42, 134), the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) being defined by a portion of the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130), and the second plate (14, 104) includes a first surface (16, 106), the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) being defined by a portion of the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104), wherein the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) is directed toward the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130), wherein: the magnet is adjacent the second plate (14, 104); the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130) external of the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) external of the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) thereof is hydrophobic. the magnet is adjacent the second plate (14, 104); the first surface (42, 134) of the first plate (40, 130) external of the first sample receiving region (46, 48, 50) thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface (16, 106) of the second plate (14, 104) external of the first reagent region (20, 24, 26) thereof is hydrophobic.