The role of cytokines in the coordination of immune responses is considered a fundamental learning concept. The common practice of memorizing cytokine and leukocyte names while attempting to visualize their interactions is daunting and ineffective. To bridge this gap, ImmunoReach and Cell Collective have partnered to create a computational modeling and simulation activity to target these concepts. In this lesson, students model cytokine receptor binding, CD4+ T cell differentiation, and explore how T helper 1 and 2 cells target pathogens. Finally, students subject their models to case study pathogens to simulate the body’s immune response. This lesson was deployed at Frostburg State University and included a pre and post-survey evaluating the lesson’s efficacy, students’ confidence in computational modeling, and learning benefits. All felt that the lesson increased their understanding of the immune system’s interactions, and almost all felt more confident in their ability to depict immunological concepts through modeling and simulations. The students expressed a desire for more modeling and simulation activities to be used when learning immunological concepts. With this lesson, Cell Collective and ImmunoReach are working together to move education away from rote memorization and toward hands-on, interactive modeling and simulations.

Speakers: Skylar Loecker & Tom Helikar