Development of the malaria vaccine has taken over 60 years but is now almost licensed.

How this can be brought into the classroom:

  • To illustrate stages of drug development.
  • Getting students to debate the cost of drugs/conduct of drug companies.
  • To demonstrate how many groups of scientists contribute and work together, no 'silver bullet'.

Gill Hancock, Head of Biology at The Henrietta Barnett School , was inspired to suggest this teaching idea after hearing Dr Edward Mee (NIBSC) speak about (Lack of) Immunity to HIV at the New Teacher Subject Day on The Immune System and Immunity.

Schools Programme members can download the resources from the event in the PTI Staffroom.

Want to discover more inspiring subject knowledge? See our upcoming courses and events for 2016/17, including our CPD subject days: Biotechnology at Key Stage 5, Medical Physics and Plant power! Engaging students with plants and photosynthesis.

Find more knowledge nuggets here.

Image: By US Army Africa via Flicker, licensed by Creative Commons (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/).