The invention provides a method of characterizing a target that binds to a ligand. The method comprises providing ligands, optionally attached to a support, and contacting the ligands with targets to allow at least one target to bind to at least one ligand. The method further comprises immobilizing the resulting complexes in a first matrix, such that each complex has a different position within the first matrix, and transferring the target of the complex to a second matrix. The position of the target within the second matrix corresponds to the position of the ligand-support complex within the first matrix. The target on the second matrix is then detected.