Cell Phones in the Lab: An App for the Dynamic Simulation of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels
Poster Number
15C
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Carlos A. Villalba-Galea
Faculty Mentor Department
TJLSOPHS - Physiology and Pharmacology
Abstract/Artist Statement
A detailed understanding of voltage-gated ion channel behavior in electrically excitable organs and tissues, such as those in the nervous system and the heart, is vital for comprehending the mechanistic basis of numerous diseases and syndromes. Comprehensive kinetic modeling has therefore become a critical focus of modern pharmaceutical research. In this work, we have implemented a program for smartphones that provides a simple, yet sophisticated tool that can simulate the activity of ion channels. By downsizing simulation tools to the smartphone, we grant the researcher the ability to generate hypotheses based on the predictions made from detailed kinetic modeling of voltage gated ion channel activity in response to various stimuli. This program consists of a Java-based Android app, which will display the channel behavior calculated by the algorithm, given user-defined input parameters. This program will incorporate known kinetic channel models, as well as enable the user to simulate models with custom properties. At the time of abstract submission, the authors have produced a prototype of the algorithm as well as a general framework for the simulation written in Java. In our presentation, the audience can expect a rudimentary explanation of the function of voltage gated ion channels, an overview of the modeling process, and an interactive demonstration of the app and its potential application to active research.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2018 1:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2018 3:00 PM
Cell Phones in the Lab: An App for the Dynamic Simulation of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
A detailed understanding of voltage-gated ion channel behavior in electrically excitable organs and tissues, such as those in the nervous system and the heart, is vital for comprehending the mechanistic basis of numerous diseases and syndromes. Comprehensive kinetic modeling has therefore become a critical focus of modern pharmaceutical research. In this work, we have implemented a program for smartphones that provides a simple, yet sophisticated tool that can simulate the activity of ion channels. By downsizing simulation tools to the smartphone, we grant the researcher the ability to generate hypotheses based on the predictions made from detailed kinetic modeling of voltage gated ion channel activity in response to various stimuli. This program consists of a Java-based Android app, which will display the channel behavior calculated by the algorithm, given user-defined input parameters. This program will incorporate known kinetic channel models, as well as enable the user to simulate models with custom properties. At the time of abstract submission, the authors have produced a prototype of the algorithm as well as a general framework for the simulation written in Java. In our presentation, the audience can expect a rudimentary explanation of the function of voltage gated ion channels, an overview of the modeling process, and an interactive demonstration of the app and its potential application to active research.