Outreach: BORIS
The Biological Origin of Species is a presentation about drug design and is sponsored by The Biochemical Society. The project has worked primarily with schools and colleges throughout the UK since its inception in January 2007. We use molecular modelling (through computing and actual model making) to introduce the idea that certain drugs fit into specific sites of a host protein (or enzyme). With this in mind, a purpose built protein molecule (called ‘BORIS’) has been constructed which will allow modelled traditional drugs (such as aspirin) to fit inside, highlighting the fact that only certain drugs bind to specific parts of a protein. This conceptual idea will then be expanded to include the design of anti-cancer drugs.
Objectives of the Project
• Our primary objective is to inspire and invigorate the audience about science in addition to educating about the concepts of drug therapy.
• Specifically we wish to introduce the concept that proteins and drugs have ‘3-D shape’ and it is fitting a drug into a shape of a protein that can often lead to a desired therapeutic effect. By talking about common household drugs (aspirin etc), we wish to highlight this point.
• The project aims to introduce the audience to the subject of drug therapy through a ‘hands-on’ theoretical approach in molecular modelling. A 5ft model of a protein (which we call ‘BORIS’-the Biological ORIgins of Systems) has been constructed which the audience will use to ‘dock’ their designed drugs.
The Biological Origin of Species is a presentation about drug design and is sponsored by The Biochemical Society. The project has worked primarily with schools and colleges throughout the UK since its inception in January 2007. We use molecular modelling (through computing and actual model making) to introduce the idea that certain drugs fit into specific sites of a host protein (or enzyme). With this in mind, a purpose built protein molecule (called ‘BORIS’) has been constructed which will allow modelled traditional drugs (such as aspirin) to fit inside, highlighting the fact that only certain drugs bind to specific parts of a protein. This conceptual idea will then be expanded to include the design of anti-cancer drugs.
Objectives of the Project
• Our primary objective is to inspire and invigorate the audience about science in addition to educating about the concepts of drug therapy.
• Specifically we wish to introduce the concept that proteins and drugs have ‘3-D shape’ and it is fitting a drug into a shape of a protein that can often lead to a desired therapeutic effect. By talking about common household drugs (aspirin etc), we wish to highlight this point.
• The project aims to introduce the audience to the subject of drug therapy through a ‘hands-on’ theoretical approach in molecular modelling. A 5ft model of a protein (which we call ‘BORIS’-the Biological ORIgins of Systems) has been constructed which the audience will use to ‘dock’ their designed drugs.
Matthew Moss High School visit on Thursday 13th November 2014
Runshaw College visit on Wednesday 6th February 2015
Franklin College visit on Wednesday 25th February 2015
Wigan UTC on Wednesday 22nd April 2015
Blackpool Sixth Form College visit on Wednesday 18th January 2017.
St Monica's RC High School on Friday 18th June 2017.
