An interactive web resource for simulation-based learning and teaching for electrophysiology: iCell

Abstract

Summary form only given. An interactive cell modeling web resource, iCell (http://ssd1.bme.memphis.edu/icell/), was developed as a simulation-based teaching and learning tool for electrophysiology. The web site consists of JAVA applets that present models of various cardiac cells and neurons, and simulation data of their bioelectric activities at the cellular level. Each JAVA-based model allows the user to go through menu options to change model parameters, run and view simulation results. The site also has a glossary section for the scientific terms. iCell has integrated research and education and, has been used as a teaching and learning tool for five graduate courses at the Joint Biomedical Engineering Program of University of Memphis and University of Tennessee. This modeling tool was also used as a collaboration site among our colleagues interested in simulations of cell membrane activities. Scientists from the fields of biosciences, engineering, life sciences and medical sciences in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey and USA have tested and utilized iCell as a simulation-based teaching, learning and collaboration environment. The platform-independent software, iCell, provides us with an interactive and user-friendly teaching and learning resource, and also a collaboration too for electrophysiology to be shared over the Internet.