Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection of one or more analytes, in particular pathogens, viruses, prions, bacteria, parasites, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, cytostatics, psychoactive substances, narcotics, analgesics, cardiac drugs, metabolites, coagulation inhibitors, hormones, interleukins and cytokines, performance-enhancing drugs, drugs, toxins, noxious substances, pesticides, insecticides, wood preservatives, herbicides, fungicides, explosives, vitamins and flavors by providing a conjugate of the analyte and an europium cryptate fluorophore or respectively a terbium cryptate fluorophore together with an antibody which is specific for the analyte and an antibody which is specific for the europium cryptate fluorophore or respectively the terbium cryptate fluorophore and by spectroscopically determining the fluorescence quenching which occurs when the analyte is added.