Analyte determination using a general purpose structure of an analytical element

A method for determining an analyte in a sample using an analytical element, the method comprising:

• providing a mixture by contacting the sample with a binding partner 2 of a specific binding pair 1 (partner 2 of pair 1), and a binding partner 2 of a specific binding pair 2 (partner 2 of pair 2), wherein partner 2 of pair 1 and partner 2 of pair 2 are not the analyte and wherein partner 2 of pair 1 and partner 2 of pair 2 bind the analyte when the analyte is present in the sample, wherein the mixture is provided before the mixture is added to the element;
• adding the mixture to a sample application zone of the analytical element, wherein the element comprises a material enabling liquid transport between the sample application zone and a detection zone located downstream thereof, wherein the partner 2 of pair 1 and the partner 2 of pair 2 are not immobilized on the material, wherein the detection zone comprises a binding partner 1 of specific binding pair 1 (partner 1 of pair 1) immobilized in such a manner that it is able to bind to the partner 2 of pair 1, and wherein a labeled partner 1 of specific binding pair 2 (partner 1 of pair 2) is present upstream of the detection zone and impregnated on the material such that it can be detached by liquid and is able to bind to the partner 2 of pair 2,
• forming, when the analyte is present in the sample, a complex comprising the partner 1 of pair 1, the partner 2 of pair 1, the analyte, the partner 1 of pair 2 and the partner 2 of pair 2, and
• detecting the presence or absence of the label in the detection zone, thereby determining the analyte in the sample.