RCAT™ is the ideal amplification method for biochips. No other practical amplification method can recognize, amplify and detect target molecules directly on a solid surface. Currently, gene arrays place spots or “elements” in a high-density matrix on slides. Each spot contributes a single piece of genetic information to the analysis. RCAT, from a single element in such an array, can obtain information on multiple analytes simultaneously, exponentially increasing the level of information available. Since RCAT can amplify and detect signal from a solid-phase target simultaneously, it provides the only means for a homogeneous biochip assay.