Simulation-based training in electrophysiology by iCell

A simulation-based training resource was developed for electrophysiology. The resource focuses on computational modeling of cellular bioelectric activity and is called the interactive cell modeling tool (http://ssd1.bme.memphis.edu/icell). iCell can be 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 Well as a simulation-based teaching, learning and collaboration environment.