Open access simulator could reduce the use of experimental animals in teaching

Understanding how neurons communicate through changes in membrane potential is a central part of teaching neuroscience and demonstrating these events has traditionally relied on experimental animals such as the earthworm. But with the creation of NeuroSim, we now have the option of a computational alternative.

In line with the ambition at UCPH to reduce the use of animals in teaching, the digital alternative NeuroSim is now available for everyone teaching neuroscience. NeuroSim is a web‑based neuronal simulator that visualizes key biophysical processes in real time.

The simulator has been developed by Professor Nanna MacAulay from Department of Neuroscience and biomedical engineering student Jonas Uno Kristian Mortensen, with subsequent refining by Professor Alex Walter.  

By using NeuroSim, students can explore and learn about:

• ionic movements driving membrane potential changes
• dendritic depolarization spread
• action potential initiation
• the refractory period
• spatial summation of synaptic inputs

The simulator was introduced in autumn 2025 in the course Cell and Tissue Biology for biomedical engineering students and Neuroscience I – Cells and Circuits for neuroscience students, where it was very well received by the students.

Although it’s not a complete substitute for real tissue, NeuroSim offers an adaptable learning environment. Students can modify variables such as ion channel numbers, ion concentrations, dendritic diameter, and synapse location. These are parameters that are not easily changed in live preparations. The tool also has clear visualizations that are easy to decode, supporting the students’ conceptual understanding of the processes at the membrane level.

NeuroSim is open access and available to all at https://neurosim.ku.dk/
The development was funded by the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.