Patent ID: 7354704

Claim:
A high throughput screening method comprising: a) placing cells in a well on a substrate, said substrate comprising a plurality of discrete microwells at a well density of greater than about 100/cm 2 , with the number of cells in each well being from 1 to about 10 3 ; b) exposing the cell or cells in at least a first of said wells to a selected agent; and c) determining the conductance in said first well, by applying a low-voltage, AC signal across a pair of electrodes placed in that well, and monitoring the level of growth or metabolic activity of cells contained in said first well by synchronously measuring the conductance across the electrodes, wherein an increase in measured conductance over time is interpreted as being indicative of an increased level or growth or metabolic activity of said cells, and a decrease in measured conductance over time is interpreted as being indicative of reduced growth or metabolic activity of said cells.