Force-induced magnetization contrast for diagnosis and imaging

A method of detecting target molecules species comprising;

• conjugating a first magnetic particle to a first ligand to form a first magnetic particle ligand conjugate;
• adding said conjugate to a sample containing target molecules to form a mixture comprising, non-specifically bound-conjugate and specifically bound conjugate-target molecule binding pairs;
• magnetizing the mixture with a magnetic field;
• measuring a first magnetization of said mixture;
• subjecting said mixture to a first mechanical force;
• measuring a second magnetization value of said mixture;
• subtracting said second magnetization value from said first magnetization value to calculate a first force-induced magnetization contrast;
• subjecting said mixture to a second mechanical force;
• measuring a third magnetization of said mixture;
• subtracting said third magnetization value from said second magnetization value to calculate a second force-induced magnetization contrast, and thereby performing a force scan, while measuring magnetization decrease as a function of the force and thereby detecting different target molecular species.