Big Spider, Big Genome: Chromosome-level genome of a North American tarantula (Aphonopelma marxi) and comparative genomics across 300 million years of spider evolution

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  Image Credit: WikiCommons Big Spider, Big Genome: Chromosome-level genome of a North American tarantula (Aphonopelma marxi) and comparative genomics across 300 million years of spider evolution Abstract The comparison of chromosome-level genomes allows biologists to investigate new axes of organismal evolution. Spiders comprise a significant proportion of known arachnid diversity, with many complex morphologies and unique natural histories, yet comparative genomics in spiders has been limited due to the number of available genomes. We present a de novo chromosomal reference genome of a mature male tarantula, Aphonopelma marxi, and comparatively examine spider genome evolution across the Order Araneae. Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing, the final 6.5 Gb assembly consists of 17 autosomes, 1 X chromosome, and 127 unplaced scaffolds, with an N50 of 370 Mb and Arachnida (odb10; 2934 genes) BUSCO of 96.7%. By comparing 20 additional spider genomes from 15 families, we find mygalomo...

Tarantula Cubensis Venom Theranekron-Embedded Hyaluronic Acid and Chitosan-Based Wound Dress Enhances Wound Healing by Ameliorating Histopathological Appearance and Enhancing Growth Factors in Low Doses: In Vitro and In Vivo Study

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Tarantula Cubensis Venom Theranekron-Embedded Hyaluronic Acid and Chitosan-Based Wound Dress Enhances Wound Healing by Ameliorating Histopathological Appearance and Enhancing Growth Factors in Low Doses: In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to produce wound dressing materials using the multilayer coating method(LbL) with varying doses of theranekron®(T) incorporated into hyaluronic acid (HA)/chitosan(Ch) multilayer films, demonstrating their proliferative effect through in vivo wound model experiments.

Material and Methods

In vitro wound dressings were created by dipping 2 × 2 cm cotton fabrics into T solutions via the LbL method. Four circular wounds (1.5 cm diameter) were made on the dorsal area of 16 rats. Eight groups (control, HA–Ch, T10, T20, T50, T100, T200, and T500) used wound dressings impregnated with six doses of T µg. Dressing changes occurred every other day for 7 days, with rats killed on the 8th day. Skin samples underwent histopathological and histochemical examination, and growth factor expression levels were analyzed via qRT-PCR.

Results

SEM−EDS analysis of treated cotton fabric indicated compositions of 44.79% carbon, 48.56% oxygen, 6.19% nitrogen, and 0.46% calcium. Ch particles were evenly distributed on HA-Ch-coated fibers; however, crystalline structures diminished with increasing doses. Wound healing rates significantly increased in the T20 and T50 groups, showing reductions of 41.32% and 44.59% from day 1 to day 7. Masson trichrome staining revealed the most pronounced collagen formation in the T10 group, with increased collagen also in T20 and T50 groups. Growth factor expression levels were notably higher in the T10, T20, and T50 groups. In Picro Sirius Red-stained sections, enhanced collagen maturation was observed in T10, T20, and T50 groups, while higher doses led to irregular and immature collagen deposition.

Conclusion

The study confirmed the in vivo and in vitro efficacy of the T + HA + Ch wound dressing material, identifying the optimal wound healing dose of T as 10–50 µg based on histopathological and genetic analyses.

Taner, R., Asci, H., Ugur, S.S. et al. Tarantula Cubensis Venom Theranekron-Embedded Hyaluronic Acid and Chitosan-Based Wound Dress Enhances Wound Healing by Ameliorating Histopathological Appearance and Enhancing Growth Factors in Low Doses: In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Aesth Plast Surg (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-05268-y