Inspiration
Our project is inspired by the idea that complex cancer therapies can be better understood through gamification and interactive play. Traditional approaches to radiopharmaceutical therapy often present information in static, descriptive ways, which can make it difficult to grasp the dynamic relationships between tumor biology, radiation behavior, and treatment outcomes. Drawing from our backgrounds in biochemistry and physics, our exposure to isotope science at FRIB, and the interactive design of Colorado PhET simulations, we reimagined this learning process as an exploratory system. Through game-like decision-making, real-time feedback, and scenario testing, users actively engage with the model—experimenting with variables, observing consequences, and building intuition. This approach transforms learning into a participatory experience, where understanding emerges through play, strategy, and discovery.
What it does
This project is an interactive, game-inspired simulation platform that helps users understand how radiopharmaceutical therapies treat different types of cancer by allowing them to actively experiment with treatment decisions. It simplifies complex differential equations and underlying mathematical models into intuitive visualizations, making it easier to build interest and understanding in radiopharmaceuticals. Users explore how factors such as tumor type, biological barriers, isotope choice, and organ toxicity must be balanced to effectively target cancer without harming the patient. Through a gamified, decision-based experience, users engage in scenario testing and receive real-time feedback, developing an intuitive sense of how radiation moves through the body and impacts both tumors and healthy tissue. By framing treatment as a strategic balance between eliminating the “enemy” (the tumor) and preserving the “system” (the body), the platform creates an accessible and engaging way to learn the complexity of cancer therapy through play.
How we built it
We utilized Google AI tools to bring our vision and scientific knowledge to life through a simple, interactive interface. Our goal was to create a platform that offers multiple layers of exploration, allowing users to experiment with different isotopes, tumor types, and even compare biological responses across models such as human and mouse systems. The simulation visualizes how radiation spreads through the body using dynamic heat maps, helping users connect their decisions to real-time outcomes. At its core, the experience begins with a gamified system where users must balance a “health bar” while targeting a tumor with radiation, reinforcing the challenge of maximizing tumor kill while minimizing harm to the body. This layered design allows users to gradually move from intuitive gameplay into deeper scientific understanding.
Challenges we ran into
We are proud to have developed a fully functional interactive experience that is both engaging and educational, successfully combining gameplay with meaningful scientific content. The platform not only makes learning about radiopharmaceutical therapy enjoyable and also helps users build real intuition about complex treatment decisions. Additionally, we constructed a working comparison model that allows users to explore how different isotopes impact the same tumor type, highlighting key differences in effectiveness, penetration, and toxicity. This feature reinforces the core idea of our project—understanding not just what works, but why certain treatments are more effective than others under specific conditions.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are proud to have developed a fully functional interactive experience that is both engaging and educational, successfully combining gameplay with meaningful scientific content. The platform not only makes learning about radiopharmaceutical therapy enjoyable, but also helps users build real intuition about complex treatment decisions. Additionally, we constructed a working comparison model that allows users to explore how different isotopes impact the same tumor type, highlighting key differences in effectiveness, penetration, and toxicity. This feature reinforces the core idea of our project. Understanding not just what works, but why certain treatments are more effective than others under specific conditions.
What we learned
Through this project, we learned how to effectively utilize AI as a tool for both app development and simplifying complex scientific concepts for a broader audience. We gained experience translating detailed mathematical and scientific ideas into intuitive, user-friendly visuals and interactions. Additionally, we developed skills in troubleshooting and debugging, learning how to identify issues, refine our models, and give clear, direct instructions to improve outputs. Overall, this process strengthened our ability to bridge technical knowledge with accessible design while iterating quickly and efficiently.
What's next for Radiochemistry Fun Day Video Game
Moving forward, we aim to expand the model to incorporate additional biological and physical factors, making the simulation more sophisticated and representative of real-world radiopharmaceutical therapy. This includes refining tumor heterogeneity, improving transport dynamics, and integrating more detailed toxicity and cross-organ interactions. We also plan to collaborate with radiochemists at FRIB to develop a more laboratory-friendly interface, allowing the platform to extend beyond education and into research applications. By evolving both the scientific depth and usability of the system, we hope to bridge the gap between interactive learning, clinical insight, and experimental design.
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