A digital microfluidic device for conducting cell assays and cell culture, comprising: a first substrate having a first substrate surface; a first array of discrete electrodes located on the first substrate surface; at least one coating formed on the first substrate surface covering each discrete electrode such that the discrete electrodes are electrically insulated from one another, an outer surface of the at least one coating formed on the first substrate surface forming a hydrophobic working surface; said device optionally including a second substrate with a hydrophobic working surface, wherein the second substrate, when present, is provided in a spaced relationship to the first substrate thus defining a space between the first and second substrates capable of containing liquid droplets (42, 106, 108) between the hydrophobic working surface of the second substrate and the hydrophobic working surface of the first substrate; an electrode controller connected to the discrete electrodes capable of selectively activating or de-activating each of said discrete electrodes for translating liquid droplets (42, 106, 108), said electrode controller being connected to a reference electrode means; one or both of the hydrophobic working surface of the first substrate and the hydrophobic working surface of the second substrate is modified to include one or more pre-selected positions having cell culture sites located thereon; and a control means interfaced to said electrode controller and being programmed to translate liquid droplets of cell suspensions and liquid droplets of reagents in a selected order defined by a selected cell assay protocol or cell culture protocol for which said control means is programmed; and wherein said one or more pre-selected positions with cell culture sites thereon are located such that each of said one or more cell culture sites is accessible to liquid droplets (42, 106, 108) being translated by said first array of discrete electrodes. a first substrate having a first substrate surface; a first array of discrete electrodes located on the first substrate surface; at least one coating formed on the first substrate surface covering each discrete electrode such that the discrete electrodes are electrically insulated from one another, an outer surface of the at least one coating formed on the first substrate surface forming a hydrophobic working surface; said device optionally including a second substrate with a hydrophobic working surface, wherein the second substrate, when present, is provided in a spaced relationship to the first substrate thus defining a space between the first and second substrates capable of containing liquid droplets (42, 106, 108) between the hydrophobic working surface of the second substrate and the hydrophobic working surface of the first substrate; an electrode controller connected to the discrete electrodes capable of selectively activating or de-activating each of said discrete electrodes for translating liquid droplets (42, 106, 108), said electrode controller being connected to a reference electrode means; one or both of the hydrophobic working surface of the first substrate and the hydrophobic working surface of the second substrate is modified to include one or more pre-selected positions having cell culture sites located thereon; and a control means interfaced to said electrode controller and being programmed to translate liquid droplets of cell suspensions and liquid droplets of reagents in a selected order defined by a selected cell assay protocol or cell culture protocol for which said control means is programmed; and wherein said one or more pre-selected positions with cell culture sites thereon are located such that each of said one or more cell culture sites is accessible to liquid droplets (42, 106, 108) being translated by said first array of discrete electrodes.