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Delve into the chemical world of everyday life: could you make the next paracetamol using LEGO, is the sugar you add to your coffee left- or right-handed and what makes chocolate so tasty. Join us for an evening of using LEGO to understand modern drug discovery, how smell can be drastically changed with a chemical reflection and how texture can change the perception of taste.
How to Discover Drugs with Lego
Alex Derry
(PhD student)
Modern medicine relies on lots of different drugs to treat a range of diseases. We take a lot of it for granted, such as paracetamol for pain relief.
But how do scientists discover new medicines every year to help treat more patients? I will attempt to explain the drug discovery pipeline, using the universally loved Lego. We will start from a biological viewpoint to identify the cause of disease, tackle the chemistry of finding and improving a drug candidate, then ending with a blockbuster (Lego) drug which can be put onto shelves
But how do scientists discover new medicines every year to help treat more patients? I will attempt to explain the drug discovery pipeline, using the universally loved Lego. We will start from a biological viewpoint to identify the cause of disease, tackle the chemistry of finding and improving a drug candidate, then ending with a blockbuster (Lego) drug which can be put onto shelves

Chirality: Is Your Medicine Left- or Right-Handed?
Dr Keith Livingstone
(Teaching/Research Fellow)
Just like your hands and everyday objects like gloves and scissors, chemical structures can be left- or right-handed. We’ll explore how this small difference can have big implications, changing everything from how chemicals smell to how effective they are in treating diseases.

A Taste of Tomorrow: Chocolate and beyond
Dr Ben Kew
(Post doctoral researcher in invitro mouthfeel)
Can we predict the eating experience of food before we even take a bite? Through interactive food-tasting activities, we’ll uncover the science behind how food interacts with our mouths. Let us explore how the science of texture is revolutionising the development of food. By designing and modifying plant proteins, we can improve their performance, sensory aspects and create delicious, sustainable and nutritious foods. Discover how a 95% water solution can behave like fat—now a spin-out company! Join me for a delicious dive into the future of food.

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Other The Lending Room events
2025-05-21
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The Lending Room
229 Woodhouse Ln, Leeds, LS2 3AP, United Kingdom