Methods for Obtaining Liquid from a Solid Phase

A method for obtaining a liquid from a porous solid phase, comprising forming a liquid seal at a first end of a porous solid phase to which a liquid is bound, wherein liquid of the liquid seal is immiscible with the liquid bound to the solid phase, and applying a pressure differential across the porous solid phase to cause the immiscible liquid to move through the porous solid phase towards a second end of the porous solid phase, thereby displacing the liquid bound to the porous solid phase towards the second end and releasing this liquid from the second end. The liquid used to form the liquid seal may be a mineral oil. The methods have particular application in nucleic acid extractions which utilise capture of nucleic acid to a solid phase wherein recovery of liquid from the solid phase is increased. Kits and apparatus for performing the methods are also described.