Some venomous creatures mess with the blood of their prey to ensure a good feed or to stop them in their tracks. Many of the molecules in their venom inspired the development of blood thinners used to prevent or break down blood clots.

A reflective post about honing ideas and deciding on a way forward.

Our bodies’ natural bacteria could be re-engineered to fight disease.

The GLP-1 group of diabetes and obesity drugs are predicted to be worth over $100 bn by 2030. Yet, the first GLP-1 agonist was isolated from Gila monster venom.

Glow worms inject venom to immobilise and then liquefy their prey.

Thinking about making protein therapeutics? Why not harvest them from the cups of carnivorous plants?

Collagen from jellyfish can be used to treat arthritis and help wounds heal faster.

Corn snakes aren’t venomous but pit vipers are. Pit viper venom was the surprising source of the first anti-hypertensive medication, captopril.

My journey from art to science started with a job scooping live crickets into tubs sold in exotic pet shops.