Patent ID: 8455184

Claim:
A method of screening, said method comprising: providing a plurality of assay mixes for detection of a plurality of targets according to the general equation 2 x −1=y, wherein x is the number of said assay mixes and y is the number of said targets identified by said assay mixes, x being less than y and x≧3, and wherein each of said assay mixes contains a plurality of target-specific reagents that are capable of detecting a fraction of said targets, at least one of said targets being detected by two or more of said assay mixes, wherein each assay mix contains 2 (x−1) target-specific reagents; providing a plurality of reference patterns, wherein each of said reference patterns is associated with one of said targets; preparing a plurality of aliquots from a sample, wherein the number of said aliquots equals the number of said assay mixes; contacting each of said aliquots with one of said assay mixes; generating a result pattern, based on said contacting; comparing said result pattern with said reference patterns; and determining, based on said comparing, whether one of said targets is present in said sample.