The Drug Design story of Relenza
For VCE Chemistry
‘The Story of Relenza®’ is an interactive workshop teaching secondary students about the underlying principles of medicines design through an understanding of functional groups and molecular interactions. It will invite them to consider careers in the health sciences with particular regard to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. The Outreach Educator from Monash will visit schools and bring modelling kits for students to participate. Students will appreciate how designing a molecule to fit and interact strongly with a viral enzyme can lead to useful therapeutic agents.
Aim
To provide an interactive workshop concerning medicines that function as competitive enzyme inhibitors. This workshop is in alignment with the VCE curriculum, Unit 4, Area of study 2: Medicinal chemistry. Using case studies, this overview will look at the lock and key binding mechanism of contemporary medicines (e.g. Relenza®) down to the molecular level. A molecular model of a natural substance will be built by the students to enhance their understanding of functional groups as well as chirality. Students will engage with a real drug discovery scientist to explore design issues and future challenges.
Expected program outcomes
The material is tailored to year 12 students who are guided through discussions and a modelling activity.
Students will:
- Gain a broad understanding of enzyme inhibition and human therapeutics
- Predict the properties of key functional groups and how this relates to (lock and key)
interactions between medicines and enzymes - Explore the design process employed to develop enzyme inhibitors
- Build the molecular structure of a natural substance
- Appreciate the challenges of new medicines research
Location
- At your school (we require a classroom with a projector and tables suitable for team work) or online
Duration
- 40 - 50 minutes (or double sessions)
Capacity
- Best for a class of maximum 24 students
Availability
- Flexible with days and times, contact us to discuss