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Give heart cells a beat: An interactive museum exhibit that synchronizes stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to

Juan A Perez-Bermejo1, Samuel J Reisman2, Joyce Ma2

  • 1Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Stem Cell Reports
|February 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Interactive exhibits can now use live stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to teach heart biology. Visitors synchronized their heartbeats with beating heart cells, sparking curiosity in stem cell technology and research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Stem Cell Science
  • Science Education

Background:

  • Science museums are vital for public engagement with science.
  • Interactive exhibits enhance learning and foster support for research.
  • Stem cell technology offers novel educational opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe an interactive exhibit, "Give Heart Cells a Beat," for informal science education.
  • To demonstrate the synchronization of live stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes with human heart rates.
  • To evaluate visitor engagement and curiosity regarding heart biology and stem cells.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an interactive exhibit using live stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
  • Enabled museum visitors to synchronize their heart rate with the cells in real time.
  • Recorded visitor responses and conducted evaluations of the exhibit's impact.

Main Results:

  • The exhibit successfully synchronized beating cardiomyocytes with visitor heart rates.
  • Cellular beat rates dynamically responded to physiological changes, such as exercise.
  • Visitor evaluations indicated increased curiosity in heart biology and stem cell research.

Conclusions:

  • "Give Heart Cells a Beat" is the first interactive exhibit utilizing live human heart cells.
  • This exhibit serves as a model for integrating stem cell technology into informal science education.
  • Fostering collaborations between academic institutions and science museums can advance public understanding of science.

Keywords:
cardiomyocyteheart beatiPSCinteractive museum exhibit

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