Magnetic particles are currently used for bioseparation, which is accomplished when the magnetic particles are introduced into a mixture, to bind target cells (or molecules), and then individually pull their targets toward the source of a magnetic field when that field is activated. Thus, a concentration/ purification of target materials occurs near the magnetic field source. When their job is done, the magnetic particles can be easily induced to release their targets. Magnetic particles are used for the detection of pathogens in complex environments, i.e. in complex samples, such as blood or the environmental samples, utilizing the mobility of pathogen-magnetic microparticle complexes to simultaneously and rapidly detect multiple pathogens. The significant advantage of this 'magnetophoresis' technique is that it can be used to simultaneously separate and identify pathogens with a sensitivity one thousand to one million times higher than the solid phase immunoassays commonly used today.