Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for sensitive detection of one or multiple analytes. The methods utilize special label components, referred to as reporter signals, that can be associated with, incorporated into, or otherwise linked to the analytes. The reporter signals can be altered such that the altered forms of different reporter signals can be distinguished from each other. Sets of reporter signals can be used where two or more of the reporter signals in a set have one or more common properties that allow the reporter signals having the common property to be distinguished and/or separated from other molecules lacking the common property. The reporter signal signals can be bound by the same specific binding molecule. Reporter signals can also be in conjunction with analytes, where no significant physical association between the reporter signals and analytes occurs; or alone, where no analyte is present.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for sensitive detection of one or multiple analytes. In general, the methods involve the use of special label components, referred to as multidimension signals. In the disclosed methods, analysis of multidimension signals can result in one or more predetermined patterns that serve to indicate whether a further level of analysis can or should be performed and/or which portion(s) of the analyzed material can or should be analyzed in a further level of analysis. In some forms, isobaric and non-isobaric elements can be used together in the same assay or assay system. Isobaric and non-isobaric multidimension signals used together can generate one or more predetermined patterns during analysis. The pattern generated in this first level of analysis indicates whether the second level of analysis should be performed. The second level of analysis can involve distinguishing the isobaric multidimension signals.