Antarctic Octopus Venom could Be Useful in Designing New Drugs
23.07.2010 - Flora & Fauna, Antarctic
A new study, headed by Dr Bryan Fry from the Bio21 Institute and conducted with researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and the University of Hamburg, has found that Antarctic octopus venom could prove useful in the development of new drugs for conditions such as pain management, allergies and cancer.
The team collected 203 octopuses from Antarctic waters, genetically profiled each species and collected venom to analyze in the lab in order to understand how they work. In addition to discovering new small proteins in the venom that could be useful in designing new drugs, the researchers found four new species of octopus.
Only recently has science discovered the value of using venoms of cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish, etc.). Dr Fry said it is a mystery how venomous animals have been able to adapt their venom to work even in sub-zero temperatures, an environment in which venoms would lose their effectiveness. He says the next step is to figure out the biochemical “tricks” used in the venom.
