Abstract: A membrane cutter and retriever is disclosed which includes a hollow circular die securely fastened through a hollow connector to the luer opening of a syringe. The die/syringe assembly is inserted within a filter holder unit having a membrane secured to the bottom thereof. The die contacts the periphery of the membrane and is rotated to cut and release the membrane from the holder unit. The plunger of the syringe is then raised to create a vacuum which forces the cut membrane into the hollow die where it is retained until such time as the plunger is lowered to create sufficient pressure to deposit the membrane at a desired location for subsequent analysis.