Using VR to understand the development of the heart

“I help people to help others. That motivates me immensely,” says Dr Danny Schott with a smile. He is a research assistant in the Virtual and Augmented Reality Research Group at the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of Magdeburg. This year, he is being awarded the Klaus-Erich-Pollmann Research Promotion Prize for his work.

In his research, Danny Schott uses virtual and augmented reality applications to develop computer-assisted experiential environments, such as a learning application for embryonic heart development. This enables medical students to grasp the complex developmental processes of the heart in a spatial and intuitive way. “Textbooks and videos are often not enough, and virtual reality makes the processes tangible,” he explains. In implementing this, he works closely with doctors and lecturers from the Department of Anatomy at Magdeburg University Hospital. 

But why focus on embryonic heart development? According to Schott, particularly complex changes in shape occur within a short period of time during the early stages of heart development, which are difficult to understand using traditional methods. This is where his work comes in: with the aid of VR headsets, students can interactively experience the individual stages of development and, so to speak, ‘hold’ the embryonic heart in their own hands and manipulate its shape. “This deeper understanding of the organ is crucial not only for learning, but also for future clinical practice. Those who understand heart development can better recognise and treat congenital malformations, which may not manifest until adulthood,” says Schott.

He regards the Klaus-Erich-Pollmann Research Award as a great honour, Danny Schott continues: “I am delighted that this topic is considered worthy of an award and that VR research is gaining greater visibility. That is a real mark of appreciation.” His advice to young researchers is: “Try things out, ask questions, take the odd detour and, above all, listen to your gut feeling. If you’re passionate about a topic, it’s worth sticking with it, even if that means taking detours.”

Dr Danny Schott plans to further develop the VR applications and integrate them into medical training curricula. Tests at various university hospitals have already been agreed, as has the expansion to other organ systems such as the brain or stomach. Artificial intelligence is also set to be utilised. “I want to test new technologies, see what really works – and in doing so, make medical training better in the long term,” he says.