Computation/Simulation
Mathematical modeling and computational simulation complement the electrophysiological and confocal imaging studies at CVRTI. Areas of modeling and simulation range from molecular to cellular to whole heart level.
Structural models of ion channels are applied in molecular dynamics simulations to gain insights in protein function and drug action. Electrophysiology of ion channels, cardiac cells and tissue is modeled with various mathematical approaches such as Markov models, diffusion-excitation equations and cellular automata.
These models quantitatively describe measurement data and are integrated with descriptions of anatomy, mechanics and metabolism. Major applications of the models are in understanding of mechanisms of cardiac diseases, evaluation of methods for their diagnosis and treatment.
Principal Investigators
J.A. Abildskov M.D., Robert L. Lux Ph.D., Rob S. Macleod Ph.D., Frank B. Sachse Ph.D.
Research Results Links
The Automata Model of Arrhythmias and the CVRTI - Part I
, Part II
Model reconstruction of the pore domain of a potassium channel (Kv1.5) showing the C terminus portion docked within the central cavity.
In vitro three-dimensional image of atrial myocytes reconstructed from serial confocal slices.
Image of a ventricular myocyte reconstructed from serial confocal slices.
Reconstructed confocal images showing the 3-D structure of the transverse tubular system (blue) and SR calcium release channels (red) in ventricular myocytes.
Visualization of electric current flow in the thorax during a heartbeat. The lines illustrate the pattern of electric current flow from one region of the heart to another.