The present invention provides methods and systems for eluting and an analyte from a solid phase. The invention further provides methods and systems for transferring liquid analyte reagent mixtures from a solid phase to a second vessel, such as a microtitre plate well. The invention is useful in the manipulation of biological molecules such as nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins and peptides. In particular, the invention has utility for manipulating proteins and peptides in isoelectric focusing gels.