Science_Illustrated_Australia_-_Issue70_2019

3 new weapons combat venom

Sophisticated DNA methods, synthetic antibodies

and hungry nanoparticles – three new methods by

which scientists hope to combat more snake venoms

at once, while also avoiding severe side effects.

ANTIBODIES

MADE IN THE LAB

Scientists gene splice

millions of viruses

known as bacteriophages to

produce random antibodies

on the surface. Subsequently

the viruses are mixed with

the snake’s venom molecules

in a culture dish. The viruses

that have antibodies against

the venom will bind to the

molecules, and scientists can

use them as antivenom.

DNA FINGERPRINT

IDENTIFIES SNAKE

In order to find out

which snake has bitten

a patient, scientists collect

venom from the bite mark with

a cotton swab. Subsequently

the snake’s DNA is copied, so

a few DNA molecules from

the wound become millions –

a PCR reaction. The scientists

can then identify the snake

via DNA analysis.

Venom from one snake

could include some

50 different venom

proteins, making the

bites difficult to treat.

King^ cobra^

Spectacled^

cobra^

Viper^

PCR REACTION

VOL

KER

STE

GER

/SP

L/S

HU

TTE

RST

OCK

/SI

DSE

LAN

GE

0.001G OF VENOM

DNA ANALYSIS

REVEALS SPECIES.

ANTIBODY

BACTERIOPHAGE

VENOM MOLECULE

VENOM PROTEINS

NANOPARTICLE

NANOPARTICLES

CAPTURE THE VENOM

Nanoparticles are

injected into the skin

near the snake bite. The

particles are less than

0.0001mm in size, allowing

them to come close to the

snakes’ venom proteins in

the body, which bind to

the particles. The binding

disturbs the venom,

which loses its effect.

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