USE OF CONJUGATES WITH LINKERS CLEAVABLE BY PHOTODISSOCIATION OR FRAGMENTATION FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS OF TISSUE SECTIONS

The invention concerns a method for determining at least one target molecule map in a tissue section, using at least one (A-X)n-B conjugate, wherein A is a tag molecule of known molecular weight, X is a linker that is cleaved during sample desorption/ionization, n is an integer of at least l,and B is a binding molecule that binds specifically to said target molecule. When using MALDI mass spectrometry, said linker molecule X may be cleaved by photodissociation during sample laser irradiation if photocleavable at the wavelength of said MALDI laser. Alternatively, when using UV- MALDI, IR-MALDI, SIMS or DESI mass spectrometry, said linker molecule X may be cleaved by fragmentation during sample desorption/ionization.