Latest news with #KevinHealy
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Galway researchers have discovered why some spiders are more venomous than others
A NEW STUDY from the University of Galway's School of Natural Sciences has revealed why some spiders possess venom that is far more potent than others. The researchers analysed venom from more than 70 different spider species, to see if things like body size, prey type, and hunting method, could explain the wide variation in venom strength. They can now confirm that diet is one of the most influential factors in the potency of spider venom. They found that spider venoms are what is called 'prey-specific', meaning if a spider primarily hunts insects, its venom is likely to be particularly effective at killing insects in general, such as crickets and flies. Meanwhile, it may be far less effective against other non-insect prey, like small mammals. Lead author Dr Keith Lyons from University of Galway's School of Natural Sciences, said this could explain why species that are known to sometimes prey on small mammals, such as the Brazilian wandering spider or Black widow, have venoms that can cause medically significant effects in us humans. Advertisement 'Species that only prey on invertebrates, such as the Giant house spider, have evolved venoms that target invertebrate physiologies rather than our own, posing little threat to us,' he said. Dr Keith Lyons and Dr Kevin Healy, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway Andrew Downes Andrew Downes The findings were published today in the journal Biology Letters. The researchers also tested whether the use of webs to capture prey was related to the potency or volume of a spider's venom. Dr Kevin Healy, Senior author and Head of the Macroecology lab at the University's School of Natural Sciences, said that they 'surprisingly' found no relationship between the two. He said this suggests that webs are likely important for restraining prey in web-hunters, regardless of how deadly their venom is. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Spider venom could aid future drug discovery, say Galway researchers
A new study on spider venom by researchers at the University of Galway 's School of Natural Sciences could help with future drug discovery, its authors have said. The research, published on Wednesday in the journal Biology Letters , analysed the venoms of more than 70 spider species. Dr Kevin Healy, senior author and head of the macroecology lab at the School of Natural Sciences, said the study will help people to 'understand the evolution of spider venoms' and 'how some venoms may be of particular interest for future drug discovery'. 'Venoms, in general, are actually a really good place to go look for new drugs,' Dr Healy told The Irish Times. READ MORE 'As a resource, they're incredible.' He explained that the biomolecules in venoms have evolved to perform many functions, such as lowering blood pressure or disrupting the circulatory system. Scientists can 'see the exact molecules in there, and then see how effective they are'. Venom could also potentially be used as an antimicrobial, an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth. In order to prevent spiders from getting an infection, there are often 'lots of antimicrobial molecules' in their venom glands, Dr Healy said. Dr Michel Dugon, head of the Venom Systems Lab at the university's Ryan Institute, added: 'By understanding the fundamental drivers of venom evolution, we can better predict the types of biomolecules in spider venoms that have yet to be explored for drug discovery.' The researchers discovered that diet is one of the most important drivers influencing the potency of spider venom. They found that spider venoms are 'prey-specific'. 'That means they are evolved to kill the thing they eat, they're not just evolved to kill things,' Dr Healy said. He noted that a Brazilian wandering spider, for example, is dangerous to humans because we are mammals. 'They feed on some small mammals, and so their venoms have components in them that are really, really good at disrupting mammal physiology. So while they don't prey on us, they kill things similar enough to us to make them dangerous to us.' By comparison, a giant house spider generally isn't dangerous to humans because it 'simply doesn't feed on anything related to us'. Brazilian wandering spiders are not found in Ireland. 'You do have to go down to South America, or at least the American continent, to get in trouble with one of those,' Dr Healy said. Another venomous spider not typically found in Ireland is the black widow, however one of its relatives – the false widow – poses a risk here. 'They're not the same ... but they are related and they do have pretty potent venom,' he said.
