1. An automated method for analyzing cell spreading comprising: a) providing an array of locations which contain multiple cells that are to be contacted with a test stimulus, wherein the cells possess at least a first luminescent reporter that specifically identifies cell cytoplasm; b) contacting the cells with the test stimulus; c) scanning multiple cells in each of the locations containing cells to acquire a cytoplasmic image from the first luminescent reporter molecule; d) creating a cytoplasmic mask from the cytoplasmic image; e) identifying cytoplasmic objects in the cytoplasmic mask; and f) automatically calculating one or more of the following cell-based morphological features: i) Cell area; ii) Cell perimeter; iii) Cell shape; iv) Cell aggregate intensity; and vii) Cell average intensity; wherein the cell-based morphological features provide a measure of cell spreading caused by the test stimulus.