Venomous Reptiles and Their Toxins: Evolution, Pathophysiology and Biodiscovery - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199309396 ISBN 13: 9780199309399

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2015

Synopsis

Venom research and technology has advanced greatly, rapidly transforming our knowledge of reptile venoms. Research advances, like the development of molecular systematics, provide the framework necessary to reconstruct the evolutionary history of glands and fangs. Such research developments have expanded our understanding of venom's evolution and its usefulness in therapeutic development. The results of this punctuated toxin molecular evolutionary expansion include protein neofunctionalization. While these changes may impact antivenom efficacy, this molecular diversity also facilitates their usefulness in the development of novel drug therapies.

Venomous Reptiles And Their Toxins brings together the world's leading toxinologists in this comprehensive study of the entire scope of reptile venoms, from clinical effects to evolution to drug design and development. The book contains detailed applied chapters on clinical care of the envenomed patient, ineffective traditional or modern remedies, occupational considerations involved in the maintenance of institutional venomous reptile collections, veterinary care for venomous reptiles and research methods used in venom research. This book also devotes a chapter to each toxin class found in reptile venoms, detailing the full trajectory of research on the peptide or protein in question. These chapters discuss each toxin's respective role in the envenomation process through to how each has been explored for their biomedical potential. This book is a unique resource for anyone working with venomous reptiles.

About this title

About the Author

Bryan G. Fry is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland. He leads the Venom Evolution Laboratory, working on venoms from a wide diversity of reptiles, centipedes, cnidarians, insects, scorpions, spiders and even venomous mammals. He has published extensively on venom systems evolution and how they can be harnessed for therapeutic use. His discoveries include antifreeze venom in Antarctic octopuses, komodo dragon venom and new species of sea snakes. Fry's publications have appeared in prestigious scientific journals, including Nature. He has led field expeditions to over forty countries and he is a member of the Explorers Club. His work has been featured in over seventy natural history documentaries appearing on Animal Planet, BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic TV and others.

Fry has a B.Sc. (honours) in Molecular Biology, a B.A. (honours) in Scientific Philosophy, as well as B.A. minor studies in Psychology from Portland State University. Subsequently he obtained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Biosciences (Centre for Drug Design and Development). His work has been funded by grants from a diversity of funding agencies, including the Australian Research Council and the Australian Antarctic Division.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199309396
• ISBN 13: 9780199309399
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 576
• Editor: Fry Bryan