A system and method for eluting a sample from a swab are presented. The system includes a chamber dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the length of at least one swab, a fluidic channel connected to the chamber, and an actuator. The chamber has at least one wall being a flexible film. The fluidic channel is configured to at least one of introduce and expel liquids from the chamber. The actuator is configured to contact an outer surface of the flexible film such that movement of the actuator against the outer surface of the flexible film causes a respective movement of the at least one swab when the at least one swab is disposed next to an inner surface of the flexible film. The respective movement of the at least one swab elutes the sample from the at least one swab into the chamber.