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 the 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. This is a freshman seminar course/for freshmen only. This course is taught by Professor Ann Fallon from the Department of Entomology. Ann's research interests are in the biochemistry and physiology of insects, particularly mosquitoes. She works on Wolbachia, a bacterium that produces a toxin used for the suppression of mosquito-borne disease. Other toxins and venoms have important medical consequences, such as tick-borne paralysis and the recently discovered red-meat allergy called alpha-gal syndrome associated with tick bites. Ann enjoys sharing her knowledge on these and related subjects and has provided research experiences for several undergraduate and graduate students.
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