Abstract: Glass as a substrate for fluorescence-based assays is expensive. Disclosed is a poly(cyclic olefin) alternative to glass that is of comparable sensitivity. More specifically, disclosed is a method of making a microdevice for the immobilization of biomolecules for the purpose of carrying out a fluorescence-based assay, said method comprising providing a substrate comprising a poly(cyclic olefin); protecting the substrate from ultraviolet (UV) light; and subjecting a surface of said UV-protected substrate to ozone oxidation to activate said surface; wherein a content of intrinsic fluorophores on the surface of the substrate remains substantially unchanged after the ozone oxidation.