Paul Ehrlich - Teacher's Guide

Paul Ehrlich
Pharmaceutical Achiever

This is a brief biography of one of the giants in chemistry and medicine. A Nobel Prize winner, Ehrlich first set out the idea of "magic bullets" as a way to treat diseases like cancer. His work influenced many other scientists, including Gertude Elion and George Hitchings.

For more information, at other Web sites...

Ehrlich Finds Cure for Syphilis — part of "A Science Odyssey" from WGBH Boston.
Paul Ehrlich — biography, part of Chemical Achievers from the Chemical Heritage Foundation.
Paul Ehrlich — biography from the Nobel e-Museum.
The Reconstructors — be the drug discoverer in this postapocalyptic sci-fi drug development game that lets you rediscover the secrets of aspirin in a future world that has lost the knowledge of modern medicine, from Rice University.

Relevant National Science Education Standards

Unifying Concepts and Processes — The reading describes how Ehrlich attempted to model the behavior of microorganisms in causing disease at the molecular level.
Physical Science — The connection between the molecular structures of compounds and their properties (disease-fighting properties in this case) is central to the reading.
Science and Technology — The reading tells the story of Ehrlich's quest to turn scientific knowledge into disease-fighting technology.
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives — The reading involves the role of science in facing human health challenges.
History and Nature of Science — The reading give historical perspective and illustrates science as a human activity.

Relevant New Jersey State Science Education Standards

5.2 The reading shows how Ehrlich contributed to the advancement of science and describes his important discovery of syphillis treatments.

5.4 The readings shows how Ehrlich tried to apply scientific knowledge to fighting disease.

5.6 The concept of molecular structure and its importance in determining a compound's properties are central to understanding the discoveries of Paul Ehrlich.

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5.2	The reading shows how Ehrlich contributed to the advancement of science and describes his important discovery of syphillis treatments.
5.4	The readings shows how Ehrlich tried to apply scientific knowledge to fighting disease.
5.6	The concept of molecular structure and its importance in determining a compound's properties are central to understanding the discoveries of Paul Ehrlich.