Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying, quantifying and/or characterizing an analyte (10) contained in a first liquid. Said method is characterized by the following steps: a) bringing the analyte (10) into contact with a first probe (20) and with a second probe (22), each probe having an affinity to the analyte (20), and incubating the analyte. The affinity of the first probe (20) is effected by a specific affinity to at least one first binding site (12) of the analyte (20), and the incubating ensues under conditions under which the first probe (20), and the second probe (22) bind to the analyte (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting and/or quantifying a nucleic acid in a liquid. Said method comprises the following steps: a) either first microparticles and a probe having a specific affinity for the nucleic acid and for the first microparticles are prepared, or second microparticles are prepared having a probe which is bound to the surface thereof; b) a first solution containing the nucleic acid, the probe and the first microparticles is produced under conditions in which the probe binds to the nucleic acid and to the first microparticles, or a first solution containing the nucleic acid and the second microparticles is produced under conditions in which the nucleic acid binds to the probe; c) the first or second microparticles are separated from the first solution; and d) the nucleic acid is detected by means of an electrochemical method whereby the first or second microparticles are transferred into a second solution in order to detect the nucleic acid.