Method for multiple analyte detection

A method for detecting or quantitating one or more of a plurality of polynucleotide sequences in a liquid sample, said method comprising

• providing a device comprising a substrate defining a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) two or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of said chambers and said inlet, wherein at least two of said detection chambers each contain a different, sequence-specific polynucleotide binding polymer for detecting or quantitating different polynucleotide sequences that may be present in such sample, to produce a detectable signal, wherein the interior of the network is under vacuum,
• applying a liquid sample to the sample inlet and allowing the sample to be drawn into the network by vacuum action to deliver the sample to the detection chambers,
• allowing the delivered sample to react with at least one sequence-specific polynucleotide binding polymer in each detection chamber under conditions effective to produce a detectable signal in each detection chamber when a specific sequence is present in the sample, and
• measuring the signals produced in the reaction chambers to detect or quantitate specific target sequences in the sample.