MedMicroMaps is transforming the way students learn about microbiology – but it could have applications far beyond the classroom
When the pandemic forced education online, microbiologist Dr. Jane Harrington discovered a fundamental problem: teaching students about invisible organisms through a webcam just wasn’t working:
As an educator, I love teaching and I love microbes. I found that just talking to students was ineffective, especially for people who have processing disorders such as ADHD or autism. If someone’s not enjoying an experience, they’re not going to be learning.
This challenge sparked the creation of MedMicroMaps: a virtual reality application that transforms how students learn about microscopic life.
Hands-on with the Invisible
Nursing students at MSU-Billings became the first to test the prototype on February 14th – and they loved it! The application lets users physically interact with bacteria, viruses, and cells in an immersive environment.
Currently, students tackle a case of strep throat by administering virtual antibiotics over seven days, mirroring real treatment protocols. But MedMicroMaps enhances this experience, providing students with the ability to grasp and manipulate normally invisible organisms, which creates a powerful learning experience.
“Being able to see it in another perspective and actually understand what’s going on in things we can’t actually see with our eyes, it’s amazing,” said freshman Alyssa Robertus after trying the system.
MedMicroMaps incorporates artificial intelligence through a bacteriophage avatar that answers student questions in real time. This feature creates personalised learning opportunities that traditional textbooks can’t match.
Video from KTVQ News
Homegrown Innovation
The development process has been anything but traditional. Harrington and her husband Ian Holyoak built the prototype over two years with a small six-person team. Holyoak, who serves as chief technology officer, taught himself programming specifically for this project.
“[The] technology that we’re putting together really is not there yet. So, we have to invent as we go,” Holyoak said.
Wider Appeal in the Healthcare Sector
Beyond education, MedMicroMaps presents some interesting potential business opportunities.
Healthcare facilities could use the platform for staff training, potentially reducing training costs by 30-40% while improving knowledge retention. Pharmaceutical companies might leverage similar technology for drug development visualization, potentially accelerating research timelines.
The potential global market for VR in healthcare is substantial, with applications in medical schools, nursing programs, and continuing education. By creating a platform that makes complex microbiology accessible, MedMicroMaps is positioning itself at the intersection of several growing markets.
For hospitals and clinics, the technology could eventually help with patient education; allowing physicians to better explain infections and treatments to worried patients. This improved communication could boost both patient satisfaction scores and treatment compliance rates.
Beyond the Classroom
The U.S. National Science Foundation recognised the project’s potential with a $274,000 small business research grant last September. The team is now seeking additional funding to expand to 250 microbes and multiple patient scenarios.
Student Ellie Benson summed up the appeal:
I’m a very visual learner. So, just being able to touch things that are not touchable, because they’re so small, will help my learning.
Set for public release in March; MedMicroMaps might just change how we understand the microscopic world that surrounds us—bringing the invisible into focus through the power of virtual reality and creating new opportunities for education, healthcare, and research along the way.
Quelle:
