Multianalyte molecular analysis using application-specific random particle arrays

A method of multiplex analysis of analytes in a solution, comprising:

• providing a plurality of magnetically polarizable microparticles of two or more types wherein different types bear an optically distinguishable signature, and the different types display different capture moieties on their surfaces capable of binding to different analytes;
• suspending the microparticles in a first solution containing, or suspected to contain, analytes of interest, under conditions permitting the capture of analytes by the capture moieties, and wherein an optical signal is generated following such capture;
• using a magnetic field to assemble the microparticles in a planar array on a designated section of a substrate, where said magnetic field is generated by coils or magnets, and is uniformly distributed over the surface of the substrate, and wherein the spacing between particles within the array is varied by varying the strength of the magnetic field;
• and
• imaging the optically distinguishable signatures associated with the microparticles and the optical signals, and correlating the optical signals with microparticles having particular optically distinguishable signatures to determine which analytes are bound by which capture moieties.