Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sampling device for the collection and isolation of a biological specimen from a sample or from a location. The sampling device comprises a swab tip and a support body wherein the support body has a hollow conformation with a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is in fluid connection with the internal surface of the swab tip. Typical for the present sampling device is that the swab tip comprises a filter material with a pore size that decreases from the external surface of the swab tip to the internal surface of the swab tip. The invention further also discloses the use of said sampling device and a method for the collection and isolation of a biological specimen.