A cell culture method using an in vitro microscale cell culture device having a first microscale chamber containing cells attached to an inner surface of the chamber and cell culture medium in contact with the cells. The cells are maintained in culture in the in vitro microscale cell culture device while flowing culture medium through the first chamber at a controlled rate to provide a liquid residence time value for the cells in the first chamber of the in vitro microscale cell culture device that is comparable to a liquid residence time value obtained with respect to comparable cells in vivo, such that metabolism by the cells in culture in the in vitro microscale cell culture device is comparable to metabolism by comparable cells in vivo.