Abstract: The current invention relates to an improved method for measuring modulating effects of compounds on epithelial cell barrier function. The methods allows for high throughput screening of test compounds individually or in combination. Compounds improving the epithelial barrier function or compounds negatively influencing epithelial barrier function can be analyzed with the method described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for inducing flow of a fluid in a microfluidic device that comprises at least one microfluidic channel, the apparatus comprising: a base, on which said microfluidic device is pivotally disposed, defining a first position in a first plane (I); and a selectively operable tilting element attached to said base, to pivot the microfluidic device with respect to the base, thereby inducing fluid flow through the at least one microfluidic channel; wherein the base accommodates the microfluidic device in a first position defining a first plane, wherein the tilting element pivots the microfluidic device from the first position to a second position defining a second plane (II), and wherein the microfluidic device is tilted about a pivoting axis bisecting the first plane, thereby defining an inclination angle ? between the first plane and second plane.