Activity

Exploring medical research

In this activity, students explore current medical research and consider future possibilities. They compare current medical care of infectious diseases with research and think about future trends. This activity can be adapted for students to explore other areas of medical research, for example, potentially revolutionary treatments for brain diseases.

Making molecules

Dr Bridget Stocker (Malaghan Institute) and Dr Mattie Timmer (Victoria University of Wellington) are chemists who make molecules to replicate those found in bacteria. Making molecules is a bit like cooking. Materials are added and mixed together to make the molecule they are replicating. The compound then needs to be tested to see if it is the one they want.

Rights: The University of Waikato

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • explain some of current research happening in immunology in New Zealand

  • compare current medical care of infectious diseases to the research happening at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

  • describe what could be available in future medical care related to infectious diseases.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do.

Published: 27 October 2010