Team:KU Leuven/Model
Model
All aspects of the HEKcite project have been inspired by the heart. This is no different for the model. Numerous attempts have been made in the past to mathematically describe the ion currents through the cell membrane of cardiac cells. The efforts include models for different species and different cell types. The purpose of developing these models is to gain insight into the electrical dynamics of the cell in total and the kinetics of its ion channels separately. The practice of modelling these currents dates back to 1952, when Hodgkin and Huxley came up with a model for a giant squid axon that fitted experimental observations quite well. Since then the search for the perfect model has continued and a lot of researchers have devoted their time to this.
Introduction into Electrophysiology
To get a proper understanding of how we modelled HEKcite, some basic insights into electrophysiology are needed. More specifically, insights into the mathematical description of electrophysiology. Let us begin by looking closely at the cell membrane. We define the inner side by a, and the outer side by b. In our simplified model of the membrane, we begin by assuming that there is a difference in ion concentrations between the cytosol and the extracellular environment. Because of this concentration gradient, some of these ions will start to diffuse through the membrane. This movement causes an unbalance between the two compartments, resulting in a difference in potential across the membrane: also referred to as \[V_m = \phi^a– \phi^b\]\
Electrical membrane model
Hodgkin-Huxley
Different ‘gates’
Model Framework
Results
References
