The Virtual Bioimaging Laboratory (VBiL) was conceived by Prof. Bhargava as a means to imparting practical education in imaging. Students would interact via a computer to control simulated bioimaging instruments. While discussing the evolution of the departmental curriculum in imaging, Prof. Bhargava realized that it would be prohibitive to physically train large numbers of students on instruments and, hence, proposed the development of VBiL. VBiL brings the strength of imaging on campus to students via a virtual environment. Users interact with a computer as though an imaging instrument were attached. The data obtained depend on the actions of the user. Clearly, simulators can be of varying sophistication but our aim is to impart a sense of trade-offs and typical procedures in each modality. Hence, the student learns to make intelligent choices and understand the consequences of specific variables on quality and accuracy of data. While it cannot be a substitute for real instruments, VBiL aids education when instruments are not accessible and is effective is training prior to actual work on instruments. The help of several faculty who are experts in education and specific imaging modalities (notably, Prof. Insana and 6 other faculty) and funding from the College to promote innovations in education were critical in developing the first version of VBiL. VBiL has four fully-developed modules (MRI, Ultrasound, OCT, FTIR) and four others are planned in the near future. Each module follows a common content-type and layout. VBiL first provides information, including written notes and a video lecture by an instructor. Second, the student is led through tasks illustrating operation and important parameters of the modality. Third, the student conducts exercises that illustrate trade-offs. Fourth, assignments reinforce learning by asking the student to image a real-world problem (e.g. dynamic uptake of contrast agents in MRI) by choosing the parameters themselves. Hence, cutting-edge research is integrated back into education by action, in keeping with the pedagogical basis of our efforts. VBiL modules have now been deployed for 3 semesters as part of instrumentation courses. They would have the capability to select instrument and experimental parameters to observe effects on the resulting image. This practical realization of various trade-offs would help them develop a sense of evaluation.

The VBiL website features a custom-built Wiki backend and user account system that facilitates the easy creation and editing of both content pages and experiments for each modality. It features a organization tree structure for both the content pages and the navigation within each modality, allowing instructors to fully customize how they want to display content. Capabilities for linking between pages, adding images and documents, and adding LaTeX equations were also implemented into the software to maximize the website's performance. Featuring an elegant, easy-to-use interface, the Laboratory is secure and intuitive to use for users wishing to contribute content and for students who will be accessing the content in the future.

Below are several images from the site. Click an image to zoom in.