Meningitis, From Hitchhiker to Killer Bug
Paediatrics Dept, University of Oxford
How science can beat a bacterial master of disguise through a vaccine.

The exhibition, developed by the Paediatrics Department at the University of Oxford and FifeX, began its life at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition in July 2004, covers the following issues:

• What bacteria are and what they look like
• How they can differ their outer membrane components through switching genes on or off
• How this determines whether or not they cause disease
• Why vaccines are so important in prevention of meningitis
• How the changing surface molecules of the bacteria cause complications for vaccine design

The antibody and antigen exhibit is the first picture in the right hand column. It shows that the interaction between antibody and antigen is very specific. The illuminated bacterial cell has several copies of each different, but related antigen shape on its surface. When the antibody molecule is matched with the correct antigen, the cell dies.

The second picture shows the cross-sectional model of a bacterial cell. Standing 5ft off the ground this model has a variety of interesting features. FifeX also built a small cut out section of this model which can be handled and is ideal for the classroom or lecture theatre.

The third exhibit is a jigsaw with a twist. This jigsaw has seven solutions, which illustrates different possible structures that can be adopted for the molecule. The challenge is to complete all seven!

For more information on this exhibition or the research at the Paediatrics Department of Oxford University, email Wendy Sweetman

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