The invention relates to methods and devices used in the sequencing, separation, detection, and identification of objects and biological molecules. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to a DNA sequencing system based on cyclic sequencing by synthesis which is performed on beads in three-dimensional vessels and detected using monolithic multicapillary arrays. In other embodiments, the invention relates to a bead comprising two or more luminescent labels coupled to a nucleic acid sequence. In further embodiments, said luminescent labels are quantum dots.