초록 ▼

A method for the detection of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising (a) a sample,(b) at least one substance selected from the group consisting of (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of inte

A method for the detection of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising (a) a sample,(b) at least one substance selected from the group consisting of (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest,(ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and(iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii),wherein one of said substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to luminesce, and(c) a plurality of particles capable of specifically binding with the analyte and/or a substance defined in (b) (i), (b) (ii), or (b) (iii);(2) inducing the label compound to luminesce; and(3) measuring luminescence emitted by the composition to determine the presence of the analyte of interest in the sample.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for the detection or quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising: (a) a sample, which may comprise a first quantity of the analyte of interest; (b) at least one reagent substance selected from the group cons

1. A method for the detection or quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising: (a) a sample, which may comprise a first quantity of the analyte of interest; (b) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (i) a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce; and (c) a second reagent comprising a plurality of particles which are: (i) capable of specifically binding with the analyte of interest or (ii) attached to the second quantity of the analyte of interest or its analog, wherein said particles and said analyte are different; (2) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (3) measuring luminescence emitted by the label compound to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the particles comprise:(a) microparticulate matter having a diameter of from 0.01 μm to 200 μm, and (b) a surface component capable of specifically binding to the analyte and/or at least one reagent substance defined in (b)(i) or (b)(ii). 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the microparticulate matter is selected from the group consisting of crosslinked starch, dextrans, cellulose, organic polymers, styrene copolymer, inert organic particles, proteinaceous matter and combinations thereof.4. A method for the detection and quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising: (a) a sample, which may comprise a first quantity of the analyte of interest; (b) a known amount of at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (i) a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, and (c) a known amount of a second reagent comprising particles which are: (i) capable of specifically binding with the analyte of interest or (ii) attached to the second quantity of the analyte of interest or its analog, wherein said particles and said analyte are different; (2) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (3) comparing the luminescence emitted by the label compound to the luminescence of a calibration standard to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the particles comprise(a) microparticulate matter having a diameter of from 0.01 μm to 200 μm, and (b) a surface component capable of specifically binding to the analyte and/or at least one reagent substance defined in (b)(i) or (b)(ii). 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the microparticulate matter is selected from the group consisting of crosslinked starch, dextrans, cellulose, organic polymers, acrylamides, polystyrene, polybutadiene, inert inorganic particles, proteinaceous matter and combinations thereof.7. A method as recited in claim 1 or 4, wherein the reagent substance recited in (b) includes a primary binding partner of the analyte of interest and a secondary binding partner linked to the label compound.8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the analyte of interest is a monoclonal antibody and both the particles and the primary binding partner are capable of specifically binding with the monoclonal antibody, and wherein during the assay the monoclonal antibody becomes specifically bound to the particles, the primary binding partner becomes specifically bound to the monoclonal antibody, and the secondary binding partner linked to the label compound becomes specifically bound to the primary binding partner.9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the particles are capable of specifically binding with the primary binding partner and the secondary binding partner linked to the label compound specifically binds the primary binding partner.10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the analyte of interest is an antigen, the particles contain the antigen or an analog of the antigen, and the primary binding partner is capable of specifically binding the antigen and its analog.11. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the analyte of interest is an antigen, the particles and the primary binding partner are capable of specifically binding the antigen and the secondary binding partner linked to the label compound is capable of specifically binding the primary binding partner.12. A method as recited in claim 1 or 4, wherein the reagent substance linked to the label compound is the binding partner of the analyte of interest and the particles are capable of specifically binding with the analyte.13. A sandwich method as recited in claim 12, wherein the analyte of interest is an antigen, and the particles and the binding partner are capable of specifically binding the antigen.14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the analyte of interest is a monoclonal antibody and the particles and the binding partner are both capable of specifically binding with the monoclonal antibody, and wherein during the assay the monoclonal antibody becomes specifically bound to the particles and the binding partner that has been linked to the label compound becomes specifically bound to the monoclonal antibody.15. A method as recited in claim 1 or 4, wherein the reagent substance linked to the label compound is the binding partner of the analyte of interest and the particles are capable of specifically binding with the binding partner.16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the analyte of interest is an antigen, the surface of the particles contains the antigen or an analog of the antigen, and the binding partner is capable of specifically binding the antigen or its analog.17. A method as recited in claim 1 or 4, wherein the method is a competitive assay and the reagent linked to the label compound is added analyte of interest and wherein the particles are capable of specifically binding with the analyte of interest or the added analyte of interest.18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the analyte of interest is an antigen and the particles are capable of specifically binding the antigen.19. A method as recited in claim 1 or 4, wherein the assay mixture contains added analyte of interest and a binding partner of the analyte of interest, and wherein the reagent substance linked to the label compound is added analyte of interest and the particles are capable of specifically binding with said binding partner.20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the analyte of interest and the added analyte of interest is an antigen, the binding partner is capable of specifically binding the antigen and the particles are capable of specifically binding the binding partner.21. The method of claim 1 or 4, wherein said luminescence is measured in the presence of said particles.22. An assay method for determining the presence or amount of an analyte of interest based upon a specific binding reaction and the measurement of an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising the steps of:(a) forming an assay mixture containing: (i) a sample containing a first quantity of the analyte of interest, (ii) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of (A) a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (B) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, and (iii) a second reagent comprising a plurality of inanimate particles which are: (1) capable of specifically binding with the analyte of interest and/or (2) attached to the second quantity of the analyte or its analog; and (b) incubating said assay mixture to permit binding; (c) causing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (d) measuring electrochemiluminescence emitted by said label compound and correlating said measurement to a calibration standard to determine whether or not, or in what amount the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 23. A method according to claim 21, wherein prior to step (b) any reagent which is not combined with the analyte of interest is separated from the sample resulting from step (a).24. A homogeneous assay method for determining the presence or amount of an analyte of interest based upon a specific binding reaction and the measurement of an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising the steps of:(a) forming an assay mixture containing: (i) a sample containing a first quantity of the analyte of interest, (ii) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (A) a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (B) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce; and (iii) a second reagent comprising a plurality of particles which are: (A) capable of specifically binding with the analyte and/or (B) attached to the second quantity of the analyte of interest or its analog, wherein said particles and said analyte are different; and (b) introducing said assay mixture into an electrochemiluminescence cell; (c) causing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce in said electrochemiluminescence cell; and (d) measuring electrochemiluminescence emitted by said label compound in the presence of said particles in said electrochemiluminescence cell and correlating said measurement to a calibration standard to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 25. An assay method for determining the presence or amount of an analyte of interest based upon a specific binding reaction and the measurement of an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising the steps of:(a) forming an assay mixture containing: (i) a sample containing a first quantity of the analyte of interest, (ii) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (A) a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (B) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce; and (iii) a second reagent comprising a plurality of inanimate particles which are: (A) capable of specifically binding with the analyte or (B) attached to the second quantity of the analyte of interest or its analog; (b) introducing said assay mixture into an electrochemiluminescence cell; (c) causing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce in said electrochemiluminescence cell; and (d) measuring electrochemiluminescence emitted by said label compound in said electrochemiluminescence cell and correlating said measurement to a calibration standard to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 26. An assay composition for use in detecting an analyte of interest in a sample, comprising:(a) a sample containing the analyte of interest, (b) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii), wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, (c) a second reagent comprising a plurality of inanimate particles capable of specifically binding with the analyte and/or at least one reagent substance defined in (b)(i), (b)(ii), or (b)(iii), and (d) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence. 27. An assay composition as recited in claim 26 further containing an electrolyte adapted to facilitate electrochemiluminescences.28. A composition as recited in claim 27 wherein said particles are suspended in the assay composition.29. The composition of claim 26, wherein said composition is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.30. A composition of matter for use as a reagent in a microparticulate-based electrochemiluminescence binding assay for determining the presence or amount of an analyte of interest, comprising (i) a reagent comprising microparticles which are capable of binding with said analyte of interest or linked to said analyte of interest or its analog, (ii) a label containing an ECL moiety, (iii) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence and (iv) at least one other assay component selected from the group consisting of:(a) electrolyte, (b) analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (c) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its analog, (d) a reactive component capable of reacting with (b) or (c), and (e) an electrochemiluminescent-reaction enhancer, provided, however, that no two components contained within said composition are reactive with one another during storage so as to impair their function in the intended assay and said composition is suitable for use in said microparticulate-based electrochemiluminescence binding assay.31. An assay reagent as recited in claim 30 wherein three components are present in said reagent.32. The composition of matter of claim 30, wherein said microparticles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.33. The composition of matter of claim 30, wherein said microparticles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.34. The composition of matter of claim 30, wherein said analyte of interest and said microparticles are different.35. The composition of claim 30 wherein said composition is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.36. A kit containing in one or more vessels reagents for use in a microparticulate-based electrochemiluminescence binding assay for determining the presence or amount of an analyte of interest comprising:(1) a label compound reagent containing an ECL moiety, (2) a reagent comprising microparticles which are: (i) capable of binding with said analyte of interest or a reactive component capable of binding with said analyte of interest or (ii) linked to said analyte of interest or its analog, and (3) at least one other assay reagent component selected from the group consisting of: (a) electrolyte, (b) analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (c) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its analog, (d) a reactive component capable of reacting with (b) or (c), (e) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence, and (f) an electrochemiluminescent reaction enhancer; provided, however, that no two of said reagents react with one another under storage conditions so as to impair the function of the reagents in the intended assay, and wherein said kit is suitable for use in said microparticle-based electrochemiluminescence binding assay.37. The kit of claim 36, wherein at least one other assay reagent component comprises said reductant.38. The kit of claim 36, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.39. The kit of claim 36, wherein said microparticles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.40. The kit of claim 36, wherein said analyte of interest and said microparticles are different.41. The kit of claim 36, wherein said microparticles are capable of binding with said binding partner of said analyte of interest and said composition further comprises said binding partner of said analyte of interest.42. A system for detecting or quantitating an analyte of interest in a sample based upon an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising:(a) a sample; (b) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii), wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce; (c) a reagent comprising (i) a plurality of particles capable of specifically binding to the analyte or (ii) a plurality of particles linked to said analyte or its analog; (d) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence; (e) a voltage source for inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (f) a light detector for measuring luminescence emitted by said system to determine the presence or quantity of the analyte of interest in the sample. 43. The system of claim 42, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.44. The system of claim 42, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.45. The system of claim 42, wherein said analyte of interest and said particles are different.46. The system of claim 42, wherein said light detector is adapted to measure luminescence emitted by said label compound in the presence of said particles.47. The system of claim 42, wherein said voltage source is adapted to induce said electrochemiluminescence in the presence of said particles.48. A heterogeneous assay method based upon a specific binding reaction and an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising the steps of:(a) forming an assay mixture containing: (i) a sample containing a first quantity of an analyte of interest having binding properties; (ii) a reagent comprising a plurality of inanimate particles which (A) have a surface capable of specifically binding to said analyte of interest or (B) are attached to a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest; and (iii) a label reagent substance selected from the group consisting of (A) the second quantity of the analyte of interest or said analog of the analyte of interest, and (B) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, said label reagent substance including a chemical moiety having electrochemiluminescent properties; (b) incubating said assay mixture to permit binding; (c) separating said particles from said assay mixture; (d) causing the label reagent substance to electrochemiluminesce in a electrochemiluminescence cell; and (e) measuring luminescence emitted by said label reagent substance and correlating said measurement to a standard to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 49. An assay composition for an assay based upon a binding reaction and an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising:(a) an electrolyte, (b) a sample containing an analyte of interest having binding properties, (c) a reagent comprising a plurality of particles having a surface which is: (i) capable of binding to a component of said assay composition or (ii) is linked to said analyte of interest or its analog, wherein said particles and said analyte are different, (d) a label substance having binding properties, said label substance including a chemical moiety having electrochemiluminescent properties, and (e) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminesce, wherein said assay composition is suitable for use in said assay based on said electrochemiluminescent phenomenon.50. The composition of claim 49, wherein said composition is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.51. An assay reagent for use in an assay method for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample using an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon, which assay reagent comprises:(a) at least one assay reagent component selected from the group consisting of: (i) analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii), wherein one of said assay reagent components is linked to a label compound having a chemical moiety capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, (b) a reagent comprising a plurality of suspended inanimate particles which are: (i) capable of specifically binding with the analyte or (ii) attached to the analyte or its analog, and (c) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence, provided that the components of said assay reagent are not reactive with one another during storage so as to impair their function in the intended assay and said assay reagent is suitable for use in said assay method using said electrochemiluminescent phenomenon.52. An assay reagent as recited in claim 51, further comprising an electrolyte.53. The reagent of claim 51, wherein said reagent is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.54. An assay reagent for an assay based upon a binding reaction and an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising:(a) an electrolyte, (b) a reagent comprising a plurality of particles which: (i) have a surface capable of binding to said analyte or (ii) are attached to said analyte or its analog, (c) a label substance selected from the group consisting of (A) added analyte of interest or its analog, (B) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (C) a reactive component capable of binding with (A) or (B), said label substance including a chemical moiety having electrochemiluminescent properties, and (d) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence, wherein said assay reagent is suitable for use in said assay based on said electrochemiluminescent phenomenon.55. The reagent of claim 54, wherein said reagent is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.56. A method for the detection or quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising: (a) a sample, which may comprise a first quantity of the analyte of interest; (b) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (i) a second quantity of the analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog ?wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce; (c) a second reagent comprising a plurality of particles which are: (i) capable of specifically binding with the analyte of interest or (ii) attached to the second quantity of the analyte of interest or its analog, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof; (2) introducing said composition into an electrochemiluminescence cell; and (3) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce in said composition in the presence of said particles in said electrochemiluminescence cell; and (4) measuring luminescence emitted by the label compound in the presence of said particles to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 57. A method for the detection and quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(1) forming a composition comprising: (a) a sample, (b) a known amount of at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, and (ii) binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, and (c) a known amount of a second reagent comprising particles which are: (i) capable of specifically binding with the analyte or (ii) attached to the analyte or its analog, wherein said particles and said analyte are different; (2) introducing said composition into an electrochemiluminescence cell; (3) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce in said composition in the presence of said particles in said electrochemiluminescence cell; and (4) comparing the luminescence emitted by the label compound to the luminescence of a calibration standard to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 58. An assay reagent for an assay based upon a binding reaction and an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising:(a) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii) wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, (c) a second reagent comprising a plurality of particles which (i) have a surface capable of binding with the analyte or (ii) are attached to the analyte or its analog, and (d) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminesce, wherein said assay reagent is suitable for use in said assay based on said electrochemiluminescent phenomenon.59. The reagent of claim 58, wherein said reagent is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.60. An assay composition for use in an assay based upon a binding reaction and an electrochemiluminescent phenomenon comprising:(a) a sample; (b) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of: (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii), wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, (c) a second reagent comprising a plurality of particles which (i) have a surface capable of binding with the analyte or (ii) are attached to the analyte or its analog, and (d) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence, wherein said assay composition is suitable for use in said assay based on said electrochemiluminescent phenomenon.61. The composition of claim 60, wherein said composition is in an electrochemiluminescent cell.62. An assay kit containing reagents for use in a particle-based electrochemiluminescence binding assay for determining the presence or amount of an analyte of interest, comprising, in one or more vessels, the following:(a) at least one reagent substance selected from the group consisting of (i) added analyte of interest or an analog of the analyte of interest, (ii) a binding partner of the analyte of interest or its said analog, and (iii) a reactive component capable of binding with (i) or (ii), wherein one of said reagent substances is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, (b) a second reagent comprising a plurality of particles which: (i) have a surface capable of binding with the analyte or (ii) are attached to the analyte or its analog, and (c) a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminescence, wherein said assay kit is suitable for use in said assay based on said electrochemiluminescent phenomenon.63. The assay kit of claim 62, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.64. The assay kit of claim 62, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.65. The assay kit of claim 62, wherein said analyte of interest and said particles are different.66. A method for the detection and quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(a) forming a composition comprising: (i) a sample, (ii) a first reagent comprising a binding partner of the analyte of interest, wherein said binding partner is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, and (iii) a second reagent capable of specifically binding with the analyte, said second reagent comprising particles selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof; (b) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (c) measuring luminescence emitted by the label compound to determine whether or not or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 67. The method of claim 66, wherein said composition is introduced into an electrochemiluminescence cell prior to step (b) and said label compound is induced to electrochemiluminesce in said electrochemiluminescence cell.68. The method of claim 66, wherein said composition is introduced into an electrochemiluminescence cell prior to step (b) and said label compound is induced to electrochemiluminesce in the presence of said particles in said electrochemiluminescence cell.69. The method of claim 66, wherein said luminescence is measured from said label compound in the presence of said particles.70. The method of claim 66, wherein said luminescence is measured from said label compound in said composition in the presence of said particles.71. The method of claim 66, further comprising separating said particles from said composition, wherein said luminescence is measured from said label compound in said composition in the absence of said particles.72. The method of claim 66, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.05 μm to 200 μm.73. The method of claim 66, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.1 μm to 100 μm.74. The method of claim 66, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.75. The method of claim 66, wherein said analyte of interest is selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutical, hormone, virus, prion, viroid, antibody, antigen, hapten, fatty acid, nucleic acid, protein, lipoprotein, polysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, glycoprotein, peptide, polypeptide, cellular metabolite, nonbiological polymer, synthetic organic molecule, organometallic molecule, tranquilizer, barbiturate, alkaloid, steroid, vitamin, amino acid, sugar, lectin, recombinant or derived protein, biotin, avidin, streptavidin, and inorganic molecule.76. The method of claim 66, wherein said method for the detection and quantitation of an analyte is a hybridoma screening assay wherein said analyte of interest is a monoclonal antibody directed against a particular antigen.77. A method for the detection and quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(a) forming a composition comprising: (i) a sample, (ii) a first reagent comprising a binding partner of the analyte of interest, wherein said binding partner is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, and (iii) a second reagent linked to added analyte of interest or its analog, said second reagent comprising particles selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof; (b) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (c) measuring luminescence emitted by the label compound to determine whether or not, or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 78. A method for the detection and quantitation of an analyte of interest in a sample, which method comprises the steps of:(a) forming a composition comprising: (i) a sample, (ii) a first reagent comprising a binding partner of the analyte of interest, wherein said binding partner is linked to a label compound capable of being induced to electrochemiluminesce, and (iii) a second reagent linked to added analyte of interest or its analog, said second reagent comprising particles selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof; (b) inducing the label compound to electrochemiluminesce; and (c) measuring luminescence emitted by the label compound in the presence of said particles to determine whether or not or in what amount, the analyte of interest is present in the sample. 79. The method of claim 1, 4, 56 or 57, wherein said composition further comprises a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminesce.80. The method of claim 22 or 25, wherein said electrochemiluminescence is measured in the presence of said particles.81. The method of claim 22, 24, 25, or 48, wherein said assay mixture further comprises a reductant that under oxidizing conditions interacts with the label compound to generate electrochemiluminesce.82. The method of claim 1, 2, 22, 24, 25, 48, or 57 wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.83. The method of claim 1, 4, 22, 24, 25, 48, 56, or 57, wherein said particles are capable of attenuating the luminescence emitted by the label compound when bound to the label compound.84. The method of claim 1, 4, 22, 24, 25, 48, 56, or 57 wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.85. The assay composition of claim 26, 49, or 60, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.86. The assay composition of claim 26, 49, or 60, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.87. The assay composition of claim 26 or 60, wherein said analyte of interest and said particles are different.88. The assay reagent of claim 51, 54 or 58, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of polymeric particles, inorganic particles, metallic particles, metal oxide particles, composite particles and mixtures thereof.89. The assay reagent of claim 51, 54 or 58, wherein said particles have a diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm.90. The assay reagent of claim 51, 54 or 58, wherein said analyte of interest and said particles are different.91. The method of claim 22, 25, 48, 56, 66, 77, or 78, wherein said analyte of interest and said particles are different.92. The kit of claim 36 or 41, wherein said label compound is a labeled binding partner of the analyte of interest.93. The kit of claim 36 or 41, wherein said label compound comprises a metal-containing ECL moiety.94. The kit of claim 36 or 41, wherein said label compound comprises a metal chelate containing ruthenium or osmium.