A rapid one-step multiwell tray test for release of soluble mediators

A simple one-stage bioassay for testing the release of diffusible mediators from cells has been developed in a modified standard 96-well tissue culture tray. The method is based on connecting the adjacent wells containing the producer and the indicator cells, so as to allow free passage of the culture supernatant, but not of the cells, between the connected wells. This method obviates the use of semipermeable membranes, requires minimal numbers of producer cells, and allows the harvesting of replicate cultures by using standard cell harvesting equipment.