A method and apparatus for simultaneously determining multiple different biological molecule types in a sample include labeling each different biological molecule type in a biological sample with a unique combination of a plurality of labels. Each different biological molecule type is selected from a population of M different biological molecules types. The plurality of labels is selected from a population of L different labels; and, M is greater than L. Measurements are obtained of relative abundances of the L different labels in the sample. Relative abundance of up to M different biological molecule types in the sample are determined based on the measurements and a method of compressed sensing.