ScienceMakers Toolkit Manual - The History Makers

Life Science
Today, Bowen studies a complex fi eld that combines chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and neuroscience. He is
a nationally recognized leader in research on sigma receptors—proteins in the brain and in tissues like the liver
and kidney that are believed to regulate cell survival and growth. Bowen’s major areas of interest include biochemical
mechanisms involved in the neuronal action of opiate drugs and the biochemistry of sigma receptors
in cancer cells and in the brain. Sigma receptors bind to antipsychotic drugs used in the treatment of common
disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
Discussion Questions
Personal:
1. What was the most compelling thing you learned about Dr. Bowen?
2. Where was Dr. Bowen born? Locate it on a map. How far away is this from where you live? What are
the names of his parents? Where did Dr. Bowen attend high school? What do you suppose high school
was like for him?
3. How old are you? In what year was Dr. Bowen your age? What was happening in the country that year?
What was happening in the world that year? What do you suppose his life was like when he was your
age?
4. How did Dr. Bowen fi rst become interested in chemistry? Have you ever wondered what would happen
if you mixed household items together? Have you ever played with a chemistry set? Did you fi nd it
exciting? Why or why not? (See Biography)
5. How does Dr. Bowen feel about teaching? What does he call the process of discovery? What does he
feel the balance should be between research and education? (See Wayne Bowen’s Research link)
Science:
6. What do you think a neurobiologist does? Would you like to be a neurobiologist? Why?
7. If you were a neurobiologist, what kinds of questions would you answer?
8. Dr. Bowen researches sigma receptors. What are sigma receptors? Are there other types of receptors in
the body? What are some examples? How do receptors work? Research a specifi c receptor and report
your fi ndings to the class. (See Biography)
9. Dr. Bowen’s work encompasses the regulation of cell survival. What does it mean to regulate cell
survival? How do cells die? Describe this process. What is “programmed cell death”? Research this
phenomenon and report back to the class. How do you think this relates to Dr. Bowen’s work?
(See Biography and “Death by Design”)
10. Diseases that might be impacted by Dr. Bowen’s work include schizophrenia and depression. Explain
how neurobiology relates to such mental illnesses as these. What are other mental illnesses facing us?
Give some examples and describe the symptoms, the causes, and possible cures. (See Biography)
11. Have different teams research different areas of the brain, focusing on the brain’s different functions.
Have each group present their fi ndings to the class and compile a “Brain Manual.”
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