| abstract |
Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. n One method comprises treating a medium suspected of containing an analyte under conditions such that the analyte; if present, causes a photosensitizer and a chemiluminescent compound to come into close proximity. The photosensitizer generates singlet oxygen and activates the chemiluminescent compound when it is in close proximity. The activated chemiluminescent compound subsequently produces light. The amount of light produced is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. Preferably, at least one of the photosensitizer and chemiluminescent compound is associated with a surface which is usually a suspendible particle, and a specific binding pair member is bound thereto. n Another method comprises providing (1) a medium suspected of containing the analyte, (2) a label reagent comprising a first specific binding pair (sbp) member associated with a photochemically activatable chemiluminescent compound wherein the first sbp member is capable of binding to the analyte or to a second sbp member to form a complex related to the presence of the analyte. This method further comprises photochemically activating the chemiluminescent compound. The amount of luminescence generated by the chemiluminescent compound is detected. The amount thereof is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. n Compositions and kits are also disclosed. |