Scorpion venom as a source of new antimicrobial agents

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  Scorpion venom as a source of new antimicrobial agents Abstract The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates urgent discovery of novel therapeutic agents. Scorpion venom, a complex cocktail of bioactive molecules, has emerged as a promising reservoir of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with potent activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. This review comprehensively examines the structural and functional diversity of scorpion-derived AMPs and their therapeutic potential. Scorpion venom AMPs exhibit remarkable structural heterogeneity. Their physicochemical properties, characterized by cationic charge, amphipathicity, and α-helical or β-sheet conformations, underpin their antimicrobial efficacy. These peptides demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity encompassing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Mechanistically, scorpion AMPs employ multifaceted strategies including membrane disruption through pore format...

New spider species named after curator | Danni Sherwood | Manchester Museum

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New spider species named after curator | Danni Sherwood | Manchester Museum

Two newly described spider species have been named in honour of members of our Entomology team, recognising their support for spider research at the Museum.

Colombiarachne dianae, a tarantula from the Chocó region of Colombia, is named after our Curator of Entomology, Diana Arzuza Buelvas.

Titanidiops logunovi, a trapdoor spider from Galegu, Sudan, is named after Dmitri Logunov.

The names were chosen by one of our favourite frequent visitors, the amazing spider researcher Danni Sherwood. As Danni put it:

"It’s a small token of my appreciation for all the help you give me in Manchester!"

It's a wonderful reminder that behind every scientific discovery is a community of people helping to make research possible.

Congratulations to Diana and Dmitri on this very special honour!