Neuromembrane is a visual tool to help students learn neuronscience concepts and provide a better way to teach these concepts for professors.
From Problem to Solution
Researchers at the University of Alberta wanted a simple, modern, and visual way to teach their students. The ideal tool would allow students to input their experiment parameters, run the simulation, and see what would actually be occuring in a real neuron.
By leveraging open source technology such as Python, Django, and the Canvas API, we were able to deliver a tool that solves all of these problems.
We support several different simulations, most of which involve server-side calculations outlined in the Hodgkin-Huxley model and solved with a system of ordinary differential equations.
This mathematical model provides data for each simulation and is rendered in real-time graphs as the simulation plays out. Animations are either lined up to occur at certain thresholds or are triggered at certain points.
By having all of the calculations and animations determined up-front, we can play the simulation as a sequence of frames with support for rewind, fast-forward, and pause.
Students can see a summary of all of their experimental outcomes as a set of styled graphs. They can then export their results to a PDF or text file in order to submit them to the professor.
Likewise, the professor can load up these settings files in order to see if the students were able to set up the simulation correctly to get the desired outcome.
With Neuromembrane, we were able to deliver the client an easy to use and visually appealing learning tool. Some of the technology that made this possible is:
- Python and Django
- HTML Canvas API
This simulation was first created in 2013 and has been continually enhanced with new simulations every year. Students and professors alike have enjoyed using and learning from it. The codebase has been kept up to date over the years but could benefit from some modern web development frameworks like React and Redux. However, with a finite grant each year and a mandate to provide more features for students, new experiments usually take priority.
Neuromembrane ni chombo cha kuona kusaidia wanafunzi kujifunza dhana za neuroscience na kutoa njia bora ya kufundisha dhana hizi kwa maprofesa. Watafiti wa Chuo Kikuu cha Alberta walitaka kuwapa wanafunzi wao njia rahisi, ya kisasa, na ya kuona mambo. Chombo bora ingekuwa kuruhusu wanafunzi kuingiza vipimo vya majaribio yao, kukimbia simulation, na kuona nini kweli itakuwa kutokea katika neuroni halisi. Kwa kutumia teknolojia ya chanzo wazi kama vile Python, Django, na Canvas API, tuliweza kutoa chombo ambacho hutatua matatizo haya yote. Sisi kusaidia simulations kadhaa tofauti, ambayo wengi ni pamoja na server-upande mahesabu outlined katika mfano Hodgkin-Huxley na kutatuliwa na mfumo wa kawaida differential equations. Mfano huu wa hisabati hutoa data kwa kila simulation na ni rendered katika grafu ya muda halisi kama simulation kucheza nje. Animation ni ama aligned juu ya kutokea katika mipaka fulani au ni triggered katika pointi fulani. Kwa kuwa na mahesabu yote na uhuishaji kuamua up-juu, tunaweza kucheza simulation kama mfululizo wa fremu na msaada kwa rewind, haraka-mbele, na kusimamisha. Wanafunzi wanaweza kuona muhtasari wa matokeo yao yote ya majaribio kama seti ya grafu styled. Kisha wanaweza kuuza nje matokeo yao kwa PDF au faili ya maandishi ili kuwasilisha kwa profesa. Kwa hiyo, mtaalamu anaweza kuanzisha faili za mipangilio ili kuona kama wanafunzi waliweza kuanzisha simulation kwa usahihi ili kupata matokeo yaliyotakiwa. Pamoja na Neuromembrane, tuliweza kutoa mteja rahisi kutumia na kuona kuvutia kujifunza chombo. Kwa mfano, Python na Django, HTML Canvas na API, ni mfano wa programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu ya programu. Wanafunzi na maprofesa wamefurahia kuitumia na kujifunza kutokana nayo. Codebase imekuwa kuhifadhiwa hadi sasa kwa miaka lakini inaweza kufaidika na baadhi ya mifumo ya kisasa ya maendeleo ya mtandao kama React na Redux. Hata hivyo, kwa ruzuku ya mwisho kila mwaka na amri ya kutoa vipengele zaidi kwa wanafunzi, majaribio mapya kwa kawaida huchukua kipaumbele.