From Scorpion Venom to Infection Research: The Promise of Opis16a (Blog Entry)

Posted by
  Opistophthalmus carinatus , a southern African scorpion whose venom contains opistoporin 1, the parent peptide from which researchers derived the shorter antimicrobial peptide Opis16a. Credit: Dan Lee / CC0 1.0 From Scorpion Venom to Infection Research: The Promise of Opis16a A synthetic peptide inspired by a southern African scorpion’s venom shows activity against drug-resistant bacteria—but its potential as a wound treatment remains under investigation. Scorpion venom is a complex mixture of biologically active molecules. While many are studied for their effects on ion channels and the nervous system, others offer a different research opportunity: understanding how peptides can damage bacterial cells. One such candidate is Opis16a , a synthetic, 16-amino-acid fragment derived from opistoporin 1, a peptide originally isolated from the venom of Opistophthalmus carinatus . Research highlighted by Nature Africa suggests that this shortened molecule combines broad antibacterial acti...

The genome sequence of the Black Lace-weaver spider, Amaurobius ferox (Walckenaer, 1830)

Posted by

 


The genome sequence of the Black Lace-weaver spider, Amaurobius ferox (Walckenaer, 1830)

Abstract

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Amaurobius ferox (the Black Lace-weaver; Arthropoda; Arachnida; Araneae; Amaurobiidae). The genome sequence is 3,564.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 23 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X1, X2 and X3 sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 14.24 kilobases in length.

Henriques S, Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab, Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective et al. The genome sequence of the Black Lace-weaver spider, Amaurobius ferox (Walckenaer, 1830) [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Wellcome Open Res 2024, 9:105 (https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.21080.1)