Abstract: Systems and methods for arranging microdevices on an array substrate are described. Each microdevice contains a lipid bilayer region and a patterned magnetic material that has a predetermined preferential axis of magnetization. The microdevices are located at specific locations on the arraying substrates and a magnetic field is used to orient the microdevices to facilitate the study of lipids and lipid-associated moieties. The bilayer region can also contain a fluorescent reagent, which can be monitored during exposure to an excitation source. The fluorescent reagent can also be photobleached and monitored for fluorescence recovery.