Secondary school teachers learn about biomedical chemistry at IRB Barcelona

On the afternoon of Friday 27th November and all of the next day, fifteen secondary school teachers from around Catalonia will have the opportunity to learn about the value of chemistry for biomedicine by the hand of researchers at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona). Forming part of the programme “Teachers and Science”, an initiative of the Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation, the course “Chemistry: the basic ingredient of biomedical research” involves the collaboration of IRB Barcelona for the fifth consecutive year.

The teachers will work alongside the scientists to explore the latest discoveries made in chemistry that serve to further biomedicine and will also learn about the techniques and tools used in this field. The course will address the interactions between proteins as a therapeutic tool, the use of peptides to facilitate the delivery of drugs to the brain, and the potential of nanoparticles to release and transport drugs.

The course will be held on IRB Barcelona premises at the Barcelona Science Park. The Friday session will include a welcome speech by IRB Barcelona director, Joan Guinovart, followed by presentations by the Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme coordinator, Ernest Giralt, and by researchers Meritxell Teixidó and Nuria Bayó. Involving various scientists from the institute, the workshops on Saturday will allow the teachers to put into practice what they have learned.

Once the course has finished, the teachers will be provided with educational material and online resources and will be able to recreate the practical sessions under certain conditions. Also, scientists and teachers will have the possibility to keep in touch in order to provide support and check up on the educational activities underway.