A deadly sea snail has evolved a unique method of hunting that uses insulin-like compounds as a biological weapon. Research reveals that the geography cone snail releases a mix of mimic molecules into the water, altering its prey���s #metabolism and inducing a state of stupor. This nirvana cabal contains potent #toxins, including compounds that inhibit glucagon, explaining the prey’s inability to raise blood #glucose. These insights may pave the way for novel #treatments for metabolic disorders and enhance imaging techniques for diagnosing #cancer, showcasing the potential of these natural compounds in advancing #medicine.
#sciencenewsdk @SafaviLab
Read more: https://t.co/3B9l1LCTS9
A very nice piece covering our story on the unusual glucose-lowering hunting strategy used cunningly by the fish-hunting cone snail, Conus geographus. Check it out!
Cone snails in the tropical waters of Palau have a secret weapon.
Researchers (@UUtah) found that one cone snail deploys insulin- and somatostatin-mimicking toxins that crash fish blood glucose levels.
https://t.co/ld4XN3FDMU
A great cover story in @nytimes magazine showcasing how venomous animals provide ingenious solutions to solve some of the long-standing problems in drug development.
It was great showing Kim our cone snail aquarium, and our exciting research.
https://t.co/63GfS5pSfA
Cone snails produce χ-conotoxin to hunt other snails. These toxins are potential anti-pain drugs.
Funtastic work from Sam Espino and collaborators of the Olivera Lab! https://t.co/z6yQ3oX3z3 #ConeSnails#conotoxin#venom
"What do online grocery shopping, venomous snails, and foot biomechanics have in common?"
Find out!
Largest-Ever @UofUDMRC @UofUHealth Retreat Tackles Problems from Public Health to Drug Development https://t.co/D49jG9MPo4
Join us on 9 October at 5pm CET for a new EUVEN seminar featuring Thomas Koch discussing cone snail venom evolution, and Schyler Ellsworh discussing mechanisms of venom resistance in flies. Register at https://t.co/IQRttsrB41 @Schy_Ellsworth @LundKoch
Interested in #pain#pharmacology and structural biology and looking for a master's thesis project in Copenhagen?
Read here to see more and apply for an intriguing project:
https://t.co/PboGBeavf6
On Thurs Sept 12, Helena Safavi @SafaviLab will give her tenure talk entitled "Insights from the Biology, Behavior, and Evolution of Venomous Animals for Drug Discovery." 12pm at HSEB Alumni Hall!
Proud to present our newly minted Dr Sophie PhD of the Safavi lab! 🐚🎓🎈🎉🎊 very well deserved for all her hard work! Also nice to see past members of the Safavi lab in Copenhagen!
What a great time at Yellowstone 🌋with @StingScience, @waldensciencing, @LundKoch, @yeung_hyw, @irisbeara and other amazing people (Lars, Celeste, Vanessa) from 🇩🇰🇦🇺who are not on the X universe. Looking forward to your next visit in Salt Lake City!
Excited to share our latest story on how fish-hunting cone snail uses a combination of weaponized insulin and somatostatin-like toxins to disrupt glucose level in its fish prey 🐚⚡️🐠🍬
Check out our paper and animation to learn more:
https://t.co/ftJeIJK5dU @NatureComms 🧵1/5