A process is provided of conjugating a recognition element such as a biomolecule to a hydrophobic multifunctional linker molecule by incorporating a multifunctional linker molecule including one or more anchoring groups, a reporter group and a reactive site thereon into a membrane, and, reacting the membrane including the incorporated multifunctional linker molecule with a pre-selected recognition element to form a covalently bound recognition element-multifunctional linker molecule-membrane assembly. Also, a chemical assembly suitable for subsequent covalent attachment of a recognition element is provided such assembly including a multifunctional linker molecule including one or more anchoring groups, a reporter group, and a hydrophilic spacer terminated by a reactive group capable of subsequent covalent bonding, the one or more anchoring groups incorporated in a membrane.