US Patent 7829291 In situ analysis of tissues

The present invention provides for the simultaneous assessment of a plurality of tissue regions or microregions, the benefit being homogeneity of the sampling, both in terms of tissue content and timing. Discrete regions of a tissue sample, such as those demarcated by microwells formed within the tissue itself or tissue plugs removed from the tissue in a spatially referenced fashion, can be treated with one or more physical or chemical treatments to liberate target molecules of interest. Subsequent analysis of said target molecules by, e.g., mass spectroscopy, permits identification of a variety of biological parameters, including those associated with disease or therapy.