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Venom A-Z R is for ruber – as in Crotalus ruber, also known as the red diamondback rattlesnake.  This North American pit viper is found across the southern United States has a venom that is potentially fatal; however like all rattlesnakes, it's venom is a useful source of phosphodiesterases and other enzymes which play a key role in the drug discovery process.  

Venom A-Z Q is for quinquestriatus – as in Leiurus quinquestriatus, known by the common name of Death Stalker scorpion. As the name would suggest, Leiurus venom is amongst the most toxic of all scorpions, however it also contains chlorotoxin – a potentially useful peptide that has shown a high affinity for glioblastoma brain tumour cells (as seen on the BBC documentary Pain, Pus & Poison: The search for modern medicine) as well as several potent calcium and potassium channel blockers.

Venom A-Z P is for pain tools – peptides such as those found in the venom of tarantulas including Thrixopelma ockerti (pictured).  These molecules block pain relevant ion channels in the human nervous system, and are more potent against these channels than other many other ion channel blockers.

Our Finance Director Clive Newell gives his perspective on Venomtech at ELRIG Drug Discovery Conference 2013

Venom A-Z O is for Omega Theraphotoxins – a family of toxins that block calcium channels in the nervous system, causing reversible large muscle relaxation in vertebrates.  Many are also potent insecticides, useful in their role as prey capture tools in tarantulas genera including Grammastola, Hysterocrates, Thrixopelma and Brachypelma.