Abstract: The invention relates to a reporter unit for detecting a target molecule comprising at least one component attached to a target molecule specific probe, wherein said at least one component is liberated from said probe by the activity of a first enzyme thereby making the at least one component available as a substrate for a second enzyme which employs the substrate in a polymerization reaction to obtain a detectable structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for quantitative detecting of the presence or absence of a target analyte in a liquid sample, the device comprising a reaction chamber having a volume of less than 200 ?l comprising an immobilization matrix capable of capturing the analyte, said immobilization matrix, preferably comprising a particulate magnetic material, having a size distribution that is at least bimodal.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a signal amplification method for a SAW resonator microsensor for analyzing test samples, containing target analyte including proteins and nucleic acids. The method comprising the steps: reacting the analyte in a sample with a first molecular recognition component and a second molecular recognition component linked to at least one nanoparticle; and adding an enhancement solution comprising silver ions and/or gold ions, and a reducing agent, whereby the silver ions and/or gold ions are reduced to metallic silver and/or gold which is deposited onto the surface of the at least one nanoparticle; wherein the mass increase of the at least one nanoparticle is detected by a SAW sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reporter unit for detecting a target molecule comprising at least one component attached to a target molecule specific probe, wherein said at least one component is liberated from said probe by the activity of a first enzyme thereby making the at least one component available as a substrate for a second enzyme which employs the substrate in a polymerization reaction to obtain a detectable structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for analyzing test samples containing target analytes including proteins and nucleic acids. The invention uses a surface acoustic wave sensor in combination with a hydrogel to obtain an ultra sensitive non-fluorescent detection system.