Partitioning device for creating a competitive assay platform

A partitioning device for creating at least three separate three-dimensional cultures for studying selective uptake of a substance in the cultures, the partitioning device being disposable in a well, the well being defined by a bottom surface through which a central axis of the well extends and at least one side surface that extends axially from the bottom surface, the partitioning device comprising:

• a first wall portion having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and first and second divider surfaces, wherein the upper and lower edges are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the first and second side edges are opposite and spaced apart from each other, and the first and second divider surfaces are opposite and spaced apart from each other and extend between the upper and lower edges and the first and second side surfaces,
• a second wall portion having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and first and second divider surfaces, wherein the upper and lower edges of the second wall portion are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the first and second side edges of the second wall portion are opposite and spaced apart from each other, and the first and second divider surfaces of the second wall portion are opposite and spaced apart from each other and extend between the upper and lower edges and the first and second side surfaces of the second wall portion,
• a third wall portion having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and first and second divider surfaces, wherein the upper and lower edges of the third wall portion are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the first and second side edges of the third wall portion are opposite and spaced apart from each other, and the first and second divider surfaces of the third wall portion are opposite and spaced apart from each other and extend between the upper and lower edges and the first and second side surfaces of the third wall portion,
• wherein the lower edge of the first, second, and third wall portions are disposable on a bottom surface of a well, and the first side edges of the first, second, and third wall portions are disposable against at least one side surface of the well, and
• wherein the first and second divider surfaces of the first, second, and third wall portions at least partially define first, second, and third compartments.