A cell culture device for transfecting a eukaryotic cell is disclosed. The cell culture/transfection device may be a multiwell plate or slide which has been coated with a metal salt such as CaCl.sub.2. Methods of using the cell culture device to transfect mammalian cells and/or to monitor cell transfection are described. Kits are also described which include the cell transfection device, eukaryotic cells to be transformed and nucleic acid for transformation.