An interactive electrophysiology training resource for simulation-based teaching and learning

Abstract

An interactive electrophysiology training resource was developed for computational modeling of cellular bioelectric activity. Electrophysiology research projects were integrated into education and training by this resource called iCell which is also known as the interactive cell modeling tool (http://ssd1.bme.memphis.edu/icell). iCell is used as a simulation-based teaching and learning tool for electrophysiology. The site consists of JAVA models of various cardiac cells and neurons, and provides simulation data of their bioelectric activities at single cell level. Each JAVA-based model is menu-driven and presents options to change model parameters or conditions, run and view simulation results. iCell has been used as a teaching and learning tool for seven graduate courses at the Joint Biomedical Engineering Program of University of Memphis and University of Tennessee. Scientists from the fields of biosciences, engineering, life sciences and medicine in 17 different countries have also tested and utilized iCell as a simulation-based teaching, learning and collaboration environment.