The invention relates to a method of performing an assay for a compound. The method makes use of a device (390) which has a plurality of wells (340) which contain cells, and according to the method a liquid is transferred from the wells (340) to a substrate which is used to perform the assay. Each well (340) of the device comprises a bottom provided with a through-hole (370) extending from the well (340) to the backside of the device (390). Liquid containing the compound is transferred via the through-holes (370) to the substrate.