Method for conducting cell-based analyses using laminar flow, and device therefor

The invention pertains to devices and methods relating to the formation of one or more fluid lanes on a substrate surface, to expose a portion of a target region on the surface to one or more reagents. Typically, a flow passage is provided that is defined at least in part by a substrate having a target region on a surface thereof. One or more inlets each allows a fluid to be introduced in contiguous laminar flow through the flow passage to form a fluid lane downstream from the inlet over a portion of the target region. Typically, at least one inlet is position to allow a fluid to be introduced directly into the flow passage in a direction nonparallel to the flow passage. Typically, the inventive devices and methods may be employed to determine the effects of a plurality of candidate compounds on a monolayer of immobilized cells.