On Monday evening the 6^th Form Chemists attended the first symposium of 2018 at Sherborne Girls' School.

Presentations were delivered on the addiction of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, the beginning of chemotherapy focusing on the folate antagonist methotrexate, how DNA mutations occur, the synthesis and chemistry of luminol, and finally how enantiomeric compounds, such as methamphetamine affect the body differently. An excellent presentation was also given by Kiara and Peter on the deadly effects of different types of snake venoms on the body. Their talk included some potential uses of the venoms, such as using a molecule found in Bothrops Asper Pit viper venom to break down amyloid beta proteins, slowing the onset of Alzheimer's disease. My congratulations to all the L6^th Form chemists involved in what was a wonderfully academically enriching evening.

Sadie Osborne - Head of Chemistry