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 for receiving at least a portion of the sample ; a first reagent region for receiving a reagent , the first reagent region and the first sample region separated by an air gap ; 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 and into the reagent ; and characterised in that : the device comprises a first plate and a second plate , wherein the first plate includes a first surface , the first sample receiving region being defined by a portion of the first surface of the first plate , and the second plate includes a first surface , the first reagent region being defined by a portion of the first surface of the second plate , wherein the first surface of the second plate is directed toward the first surface of the first plate , wherein: the magnet is adjacent the second plate ; the first surface of the first plate external of the first sample receiving region thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface of the second plate external of the first reagent region thereof is hydrophobic. a first sample receiving region for receiving at least a portion of the sample ; a first reagent region for receiving a reagent , the first reagent region and the first sample region separated by an air gap ; 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 and into the reagent ; and characterised in that : the device comprises a first plate and a second plate , wherein the first plate includes a first surface , the first sample receiving region being defined by a portion of the first surface of the first plate , and the second plate includes a first surface , the first reagent region being defined by a portion of the first surface of the second plate , wherein the first surface of the second plate is directed toward the first surface of the first plate , wherein: the magnet is adjacent the second plate ; the first surface of the first plate external of the first sample receiving region thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface of the second plate external of the first reagent region thereof is hydrophobic. the device comprises a first plate and a second plate , wherein the first plate includes a first surface , the first sample receiving region being defined by a portion of the first surface of the first plate , and the second plate includes a first surface , the first reagent region being defined by a portion of the first surface of the second plate , wherein the first surface of the second plate is directed toward the first surface of the first plate , wherein: the magnet is adjacent the second plate ; the first surface of the first plate external of the first sample receiving region thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface of the second plate external of the first reagent region thereof is hydrophobic. the magnet is adjacent the second plate ; the first surface of the first plate external of the first sample receiving region thereof is hydrophobic; and the first surface of the second plate external of the first reagent region thereof is hydrophobic. <EOS>