Simulation-based education and training resource: iCell

Electrophysiology research projects were integrated into education by developing an interactive web site for computational modeling of cellular bioelectric activity. We developed the interactive cell modeling resource, iCell, and iCell is being used as a simulation-based teaching and learning tool for electrophysiology. Well that integrates research and education is located at http://ssdl.bme.memphis.edu/icell. The site consists of JAVA applets representing models of various cardiac cells and neurons, and provides simulation data of their bioelectric activities at single cell level. Each JAVA-based model allows the user to go through menu options to change model parameters or conditions, run and view simulation results. iCell has been used as a teaching and learning tool for four 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 different countries have also tested and utilized iCell as a simulation-based teaching, learning and collaboration environment.