A fluidic multiwell device with an on-board pumping system comprising: (a) a first plate, the first plate comprising: two or more wells comprising a three-dimensional space in each well defined by a bottom surface and a circumferential wall; and an inlet and an outlet in each well; a spillway conduit positioned between the at least two wells (103i, 103j), having geometries that allow unidirectional fluid connectivity from above the bottom surface of a first well to a second well; a network of fluid paths providing fluid connectivity between at least two of the wells through the inlet and the outlet of each of the two wells; (b) a detachable second plate, the detachable second plate comprising: a plurality of internal channels, each with an inlet opening and an outlet opening on opposing sides of the second plate, and one or more holes on the surface of the second plate in connection with each of the internal channels; and (c) a barrier membrane positioned between the fluid paths of the first plate and the one or more holes on the surface of the second plate wherein the barrier membrane is at least partially flexible, such that applying a pressure to the internal channels of the second plate causes the membrane to move, thereby obstructing or clearing a portion of the fluid paths of the first plate, and (d) the device further comprising an apical insert for culturing cells and an o-ring arranged for sealing around the apical insert in a state in which the apical insert is suspended in a well of the fluidic plate. (a) a first plate, the first plate comprising: two or more wells comprising a three-dimensional space in each well defined by a bottom surface and a circumferential wall; and an inlet and an outlet in each well; a spillway conduit positioned between the at least two wells (103i, 103j), having geometries that allow unidirectional fluid connectivity from above the bottom surface of a first well to a second well; a network of fluid paths providing fluid connectivity between at least two of the wells through the inlet and the outlet of each of the two wells; two or more wells comprising a three-dimensional space in each well defined by a bottom surface and a circumferential wall; and an inlet and an outlet in each well; a three-dimensional space in each well defined by a bottom surface and a circumferential wall; and an inlet and an outlet in each well; a spillway conduit positioned between the at least two wells (103i, 103j), having geometries that allow unidirectional fluid connectivity from above the bottom surface of a first well to a second well; a network of fluid paths providing fluid connectivity between at least two of the wells through the inlet and the outlet of each of the two wells; (b) a detachable second plate, the detachable second plate comprising: a plurality of internal channels, each with an inlet opening and an outlet opening on opposing sides of the second plate, and one or more holes on the surface of the second plate in connection with each of the internal channels; and a plurality of internal channels, each with an inlet opening and an outlet opening on opposing sides of the second plate, and one or more holes on the surface of the second plate in connection with each of the internal channels; and (c) a barrier membrane positioned between the fluid paths of the first plate and the one or more holes on the surface of the second plate wherein the barrier membrane is at least partially flexible, such that applying a pressure to the internal channels of the second plate causes the membrane to move, thereby obstructing or clearing a portion of the fluid paths of the first plate, and (d) the device further comprising an apical insert for culturing cells and an o-ring arranged for sealing around the apical insert in a state in which the apical insert is suspended in a well of the fluidic plate.