For more information, at other Web sites...

Gertrude B. Elion — autobiography from the Nobel e-Museum.

Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism — from NetBiochem, a program of Allegheny University of the Health Sciences and at the University of Utah.

Gertrude B. Elion — part of the Biographical Memoirs series from the National Academy of Sciences.

Relevant National Science Education Standards

Science as Inquiry — Students should grasp that Elion's research began with questions such as How do cells reproduce? then proceeded to questions like What compounds can we use to limit the reproduction of cancer cells? Furthermore, when compounds were found that had some impact on the reproduction of cancer cells, questions still needed to be answered, such as How can we alter the structure of this molecule to make it a more effective cancer drug? The students should grasp that it is through scientific experimentation that Elion or any other researcher answers the questions facing them.

Physical Science — The molecular nature of matter is central to the timeline of Elion's life, especially the concept that altering the structure of a molecule alters its properties, and this is how Elion was able to create new molecules to treat cancer. The students should realize that by a process of gradually altering the molecular structures of her drug-candidates she was able to tweak their properties until she arrived at safe and effective anticancer medicines.

Life Science — Central to Elion's research was the role that nucleic acids play in cell reproduction, which is tied to their importance in heredity. It was by using purine derivatives to interfere with cell reproduction that Elion found a key to treating cancer.

Science and Technology — Students should grasp from this timeline that Elion took scientific understanding of the relationships between molecular structure and material properties and applied it to the design of new anticancer drugs.

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives — The readings clearly show the impact of science on a personal and community health issue, namely cancer.

History and Nature of Science — This timeline clearly shows science as a human endeavor, and how an individual's experience losing two loved ones to disease urged her to pursue a career as a scientist fighting disease. Also central to the timeline are a historical perspective and the nature of scientific knowledge as gained through experimentation.

Relevant New Jersey State Science Education Standards

5.1	The students should grasp that altering the molecular strucutre of molecules to alter properties is how Elion designed new chemotherapy drugs. This involves a very rational approach to scientific inquiry.
5.2	This historically oriented reading traces some of the discoveries that have led to modern cancer chemotherapy and shows the contributions of the child of Polish and Lithuanian immigrants to U.S. science and technology.
5.4	This is the story of how Elion used scientific knowledge to face the practical problem of cancer.
5.6	Molecular structures illustrated in the reading reinforce the students understanding of the atomic and molecular nature of matter.