Modeling of beta-cells

Paul Matthias Diderichsen

Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Department of Scientific Computing, Novo Nordisk, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark

Abstract: A typical beta-cell model may be constructed using a number of components which define the ionic currents, the variation in intracellular concentrations, and various couplings. In this presentation, a number of bursting beta-cell models will be examined and compared, and the components involved will be explained and discussed. It will be shown that a majority of the models implement one of two mechanisms to produce the bursting membrane potential oscillations: One involves a calcium dependent activation of a potassium current while the other is based on a slow inhibition of the calcium current.