Toxins, venoms and drugs from bugs

Insects and other invertebrates represent a rich and relatively unexplored source of bioactive agents that can be developed using modern molecular technologies for potential therapeutic applications.  Insect products have been used in medical applications since prehistoric times.  Honey and spider silk have antibiotic properties that facilitate wound healing.  Maggot therapy is increasingly used for treatment of intractable wounds; cordycepin comes from a fungus that infects a caterpillar.  Margatoxin, produced by a scorpion has been patented for its potential to block occlusion of bypass grafts in heart surgery. This course will explore the biological effects and molecular biology of arthropod toxins and venoms with a focus on recent and emerging applications to human therapies.