Methods for detecting aneuploidy using microparticle multiplex detection

Provided is an ex vivo method for detecting aneuploidy, said method comprising: (i) producing fluorescently-labelled polynucleotide samples in vitro that are representative ofthe abundance of chromosomal DNA; (ii) further producing equivalent, non-aneuploid polynucleotide standards for each chromosome, labelled with a different fluorescent marker to the sample; (iii) mixing said sample and standard with a limiting amount of binding agents for each chromosome, wherein said binding agents comprise a polynucleotide that is complementary to the sample and standard for each chromosome immobilized onto a microparticle, and the microparticles for each chromosome are distinct on the basis of size and/or fluorescent label and/or fluorescent label intensity; wherein the fluorescent label on the microparticle, if present, has a distinct emission spectrum from both the label of the sample and standard; and wherein aneuploidy is detected as non-equal binding of said sample and said standard to said binding agent. Further provided are multiplex methods for simultaneous detection of subgroups of microparticles, enabling detection of different chromosomes.