Magnetic bead aggregation assay system

A method of aggregating a plurality of beads for subsequent analysis comprising:

• providing a container with a sample solution with beads in the presence of a magnetic field of a first orientation;
• allowing the beads to migrate to and collect on a side surface of the container;
• exposing the beads to a magnetic field of a second orientation to allow formation of aggregates of the beads.

A method of aggregating a plurality of beads in a magnetic bead aggregation assay for subsequent analysis comprising:

• providing magnetic beads comprising a capture probe for binding with said target analyte;
• reacting the magnetic beads with the sample including a target analyte in a reaction chamber aggregating the magnetic beads in the presence of a magnetic field with the target analyte to allow formation of magnetic bead aggregates having physical properties detectable to enable characterisation of the aggregates on an aggregate by aggregate basis using a detector to measure the physical properties of the aggregates.