Free curriculum-aligned workshops:
The Science of Medicines
We are pleased to offer a selection of curriculum-aligned workshops for both Year 10 and VCE students.
Each workshop has been designed to reinforce content taught in the physical sciences and relates directly to the
areas where our faculty excels, including: pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery biology and formulation
science. The workshops can be run in school or in the laboratories at our campus in Parkville, where you can add
a customised tour to the workshop, showcasing one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical science research facilities.
Chemistry Unit 3
‘Chemical Pathways’
Functional Groups in Medicines
Chemistry Unit 1
‘The Big Ideas of Chemistry’
Enzyme Inhibition in Drug Design
Year 10 Science
‘Physical Sciences’
Drugs, Bugs and Cleansing Scrubs
Availability: By request
Duration: 60 mins
Curriculum: Unit 3 Chemistry
Cost: Free
Class size: 25
Location: Your school or Monash University,
Parkville Campus
Availability: By request
Duration: 60 mins
Curriculum: Unit 1 Chemistry
Cost: Free, some reagents may need
to be ordered before arrival
Class size: 25
Location: Your school
Availability: By request
Duration: 50 mins
Curriculum: Physical Sciences –
Year 10 Science
Cost: Free
Class size: 25 – 30
Location: Your school
This workshop introduces students to medicinal
chemistry and the use of organic compounds
in drug design. Functional groups are discussed
and students are given odorant compounds as
a way of interacting with molecules containing
specific groups. Groups discussed include
hydroxyl, aldehydes, esters and ketones.
The importance of drug polarity versus activity
is explained using common medications and
illicit drugs as examples. The presentation
includes molecular modelling videos detailing
the bonding interactions between drug and
receptor sites.
This workshop introduces students to a class
of medications known as enzyme inhibitors,
which exhibit their therapeutic effect by switching
off the molecular machinery required for disease
progression. A small selection of common
medications are discussed with respect to their
target enzymes and students learn how these
molecules interact with the protein to bring about
a pharmacological effect. Specific interactions
between drug and enzyme are highlighted,
with a particular focus on bonding interactions:
This presentation and hands-on activity touches
on several of our faculty themes, including
medication design, the emergence of superbugs
and the use of microplastics in cosmetic
products. Students learn about the relationship
between structure and activity using their
olfactory system and are quizzed on surface
contamination, in relation to bacterial counts
on common household surfaces. The aim of this
workshop is to show students how their science
knowledge can lead to careers in pharmacy and
pharmaceutical science in a “light-hearted” and
informal manner.
The workshop can also be coupled with
an instrumental LCMS / NMR demonstration
in a two-hour comprehensive excursion.
Schools are welcome to bring several
samples for analysis on the spectrometers.
■■ Ionic bonding
CHINA
INDIA
ITALY
MALAYSIA
■■ Van der Waals
The enzyme ‘Catalase’ is then introduced and
its function and 3D structure explored in the
molecular visualisation software, PyMol. Videos
and animations are included to show how this
protein catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen
peroxide to water and oxygen gas. As an
experiment, students degrade 6% hydrogen
peroxide using yeast as a source of catalase.
Detergent is added to capture oxygen gas for
easier visualisation of the reaction progress.
The experiment is then repeated but with an
inhibitor present. Reduced activity is explained
by action of the inhibitor and this is then related
back to drug design and the action of medicines
within the body.
SOUTH AFRICA
These workshops are FREE
Registration: All enquiries regarding
workshops and bookings can be directed
to pharmacy.outreach@monash.edu
or by telephone on (03) 9903 9594.
monash.edu/pharm
16P-0053
AUSTRALIA
■■ Hydrogen bonds