One or more cells can be cultured when confined in space by barriers. The distance between barriers can be comparable to the size of a cell to be cultured. The space between barriers can also be sufficiently small to allow control of cell properties or monitoring of the cell(s) cultured therein. The cell(s) may be confined completely or may be mobile between two opposing barrier surfaces. The gap between two opposing barriers may be sufficiently narrow to allow only a monolayer of cells to be cultured. A barrier can be transparent. The surfaces of the barriers may have one or more pre-selected characteristics that mimic the characteristics of a biological niche of the cells(s). The number of cells in a cell culture may be limited to permit control of properties of individual cells. The cultured cell(s) may be monitored, such as imaged, over a long period of time, using standard bright field or fluorescent imaging techniques.