STRIKE A POSE — The familiar image of a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike is not always reality. (Photo by Tom Urban from Wildlife on the King Ranch) Members of the Natural Toxins Research Center (NTRC) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville had a couple of notable scientific presentations on their calendar, to give a full picture of snake venom.

The layperson may think any news about snake venom is bad news. The NTRC would contend that the venom may hold secrets to treating life threatening illness.

The NTRC and its founder, Regents professor of biology Dr. John C. Pérez, have been studying snake venom since 1972. Much of that study started from the discovery that the gray woodrat had a natural resistance to the venom of the Western diamondback rattlesnake.

In the quest to find out why that was, venom was charted and more than 100 molecules were discovered.

Those molecules and elements in the venom can, among other traits, prevent blood from clotting. Those elements can, in turn, have implications in the treatment of strokes, heart attacks and even cancer.

Perez and NTRC assistant director Dr. Elda E. Sánchez have been sharing NTRC findings in key journals, conferences and hosts of televised interviews over the years.

Their latest presentation in September found them in San Antonio, for the annual conference of the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology.

This annual symposium allows an opportunity for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and scientists from around the world to participate in the sharing of knowledge on a wide variety of issues in clinical toxicology. Perez talked about the research that is being conducted at the NTRC and how it is important in drug discovery, while Sanchez compared new and existing approaches for the treatment of snakebites.

“The NTRC was delighted to be part of the conference,” said Pérez. “It offered participants a unique opportunity to update themselves on the adverse health effects of common drugs, vaccines, antivenom and the underlying toxicological mechanisms accounting for such effects.

On Oct. 23, Pérez and Sanchez presented again at a workshop for the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Inc. (SOFT) in Oklahoma City. SOFT is professional society organized for practicing forensic toxicologists and those interested in the discipline for the purpose of promoting and developing forensic toxicology.

The workshop was a collaborative effort of the experts from the NTRC and the Toxicology Department of the University of Cincinnati.

Snake venoms discussions will start with the characterization of venoms, to the production of antivenoms, and end with drug discovery. Presentations on treatment in the wilderness to the emergency room also were given.

On working with the University of Cincinnati group, Pérez noted that collaboration between medical clinicians and the scientist is important in drug discovery. “Clinicians observe symptoms of snakebite victims, which could suggest hints to medical discovery made by the biochemist and molecular biologist. In addition, good science will help the clinician practice better medicine.

“The Natural Research Center is one of the leading venom research centers in the world, and its mission is to conduct biomedical research, provide global training and resources that will lead to drug discovery using snake venoms. As such, it is important that the NTRC takes part in workshops and conferences to help bring better medical science to the world.”