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Science for the 21st Century (SCI) is a three pronged programme that encourages youngsters to take their interest in pure and applied science into university and beyond. It aims to convey the excitement of science and technology to sixth formers in a manner that provides a training platform for those considering careers in scientific disciplines. Students undertake high quality experimental Research, contribute to N-Lighten (a journal with review articles on contemporary science), and biennially they organise this national one-day science conference entitled Showcase Science.

At this particular event, two participant clusters of schools in the SCI (Warwick School being the centre of one grouping and Oundle School the centre of another) have joined forces and are presenting their on-going leading edge research as an exhibit alongside those presented by academics from top universities in the UK.

Studies on ageing
So far the research on the ageing process in animals has shown that the rate of oxygen consumption, intricately linked with the excessive intake of food, is an important factor. A calorie-restricted diet seems to increase the life span of an organism. An explanation for this is that at high metabolic rates, the body produces highly damaging chemicals Ð free radicals e.g. nitric oxide Ð which attack the genetic material located in the energy-generating machinery of a living cell in a way that leads to abnormalities associated with ageing.

Our project: We are reacting solutions of components of human genetic material - in the presence and absence of air at body temperature, with nitric oxide gas that is generated from a chemical reaction. Several experiments have been done and each has involved exposing the genetic material to this gas and other free radicals that are produced by the body over different periods of time.

Our discoveries so far: Analyses of the reaction mixtures from our exploratory work have indicated the presence of a new chemical, implying that the original components of the genetic material have undergone a chemical change.

Biomedical importance of our work: We may be able block the production of the harmful free radicals from normal metabolism of the body by devising medicines that neutralise their effect. This strategy we may be able to arrest the ageing process and so increase our life expectancy.

Studies on cancer
Our previous studies on the effect of nitric oxide, a gas produced in our bodies, on a biologically important molecule retinol (vitamin A), have shown it to undergo a chemical reaction. Other researchers have shown that nitric oxide also affects the building blocks of the genetic material. However, these investigations have been inconclusive and there is considerable uncertainty about the way this gas causes the chemical transformation.

Our project: We are reacting solutions of the components of the genetic material in the presence and absence of air at body temperature, with chemicals that give off nitric oxide when they are subjected to light. Several experiments will be done and each will involve exposing the genetic material to nitric oxide over different periods of time.

Outcome of our preliminary work: Analyses of the reaction mixtures indicate the presence of as yet unidentified new chemicals, albeit at a slow rate.

Biomedical implications of our work: Our work will provide evidence that under physiological stress (e.g. activated immune system and the elevated oxygen levels in the infected tissue) the levels of nitric oxide may be abnormally high. Under these circumstances, the concentration of nitric oxide may be sufficiently raised to cause mutations in the key genes (oncogenes and/or tumour suppressor genes) that may trigger off certain types of human cancers.

Studies on making new drugs for cardiovascular disorders
A number of chemicals known as S-nitrosothiols release nitric oxide, a biomolecule, that dilates blood vessels and therefore controls the flow of blood to a tissue and plays a part in maintaining the blood pressure.

Our project: We are attempting to synthesise novel hitherto unknown nitric oxide donor drugs (S-nitrosthiols) and test them for their efficacy to release nitric oxide under controlled conditions.

Our initial findings: We have made in small quantities materials that have the potential to release nitric oxide but the reactions need improvement to make these substances in larger amounts.

Biomedical significance of our work: Alternative drugs, perhaps with greater specificity and less side-effects, will complement those that are already in use for the treatment for disorders of the cardiovascular system e.g. Angina pectoris (excessive constriction of the heart muscle leading to the reduction in blood flow to the heart).