Translating Venom Research Across Evolution and Ecology to Development of Novel Therapeutics

August 10 - 11, 2024

Chairs

and

University of Southern Maine

25 Bedford St.

Portland, Maine, United States

Venue and Travel Information

Conference Description

The Venom Evolution, Function and Biomedical Applications GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.

This meeting will focus on the connections across key areas in the venom field, from basic research in ecology and evolutionary biology, functional, structural, and mechanistic analyses of venom products, development into novel venom-derived applications, and the transition and application of these advancements into real-world solutions. Our major goals in this meeting are to enable early career researchers to build meaningful and impactful collaborations with colleagues across disciplines, define challenges and opportunities in modern venom research, and support researchers in framing their discoveries in the translation to venom-derived products and their socio-economic impacts. We aim to showcase the translation of basic research to real world solutions through open discussion with experts across multiple career tracks in academic, industry, and community engagement.

Related Meeting

This GRS will be held in conjunction with the "Venom Evolution, Function and Biomedical Applications" Gordon Research Conference (GRC). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRC in addition to an application for the GRS. Refer to the associated GRC program page for more information.

Conference Program

Saturday
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Arrival and Check-in
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm	Introductory Comments by GRC Staff / Welcome and Introduction from the Chairs
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm	Diversity, Evolution and Ecology of Venomous Taxa Discussion Leader:
3:45 pm - 3:55 pm	"Whole Genome CRISPR Screening Platform to Investigate Painful Host and Venom Interactions"
3:55 pm - 4:00 pm	Discussion
4:00 pm - 4:10 pm	"Comparative Venomics of Insular and Mainland Vipera Ammodytes Populations Unveil the Effects of Sex, Age, and Prey Composition"
4:10 pm - 4:15 pm	Discussion
4:15 pm - 4:25 pm	"Phenotypic Plasticity of the Venom of the Green Lacewing (Neuroptera, Chrysoperla Carnea): Does the Maternal Environment Matter?"
4:25 pm - 4:30 pm	Discussion
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm	Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Function and Characterization of Venom Products Discussion Leader:
7:30 pm - 7:40 pm	"Structural Basis for Different ω-agatoxin IVA Sensitivities of the P-Type and Q-Type Ca_v2.1 Channels"
7:40 pm - 7:45 pm	Discussion
7:45 pm - 7:55 pm	"Decoding and Visualizing Venom Diversity in Cephalopods"
7:55 pm - 8:00 pm	Discussion
8:00 pm - 8:10 pm	"A Multi-Omics Approach to the Toxin Evolution of True Vipers"
8:10 pm - 8:15 pm	Discussion
8:15 pm - 8:25 pm	"Genetic Mechanisms of Venom Resistance in Drosophila using Centipede Venom"
8:25 pm - 8:30 pm	Discussion
8:30 pm - 8:40 pm	"Lacewing Venom: Detailed Insights into the Venom System of a Neglected Group of Venomous Insects"
8:40 pm - 8:45 pm	Discussion
8:45 pm - 8:55 pm	"The Ant Venom Peptide, Ta3a Modulates the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel, NaV1.7: Exploring Charges and Ionic Gradients"
8:55 pm - 9:00 pm	Discussion
9:00 pm - 9:10 pm	"Structure-Based Predictions as a Novel Means to Pair Cone Snail-Derived Peptide Toxins with G-Protein Coupled Receptors"
9:10 pm - 9:15 pm	Discussion
9:15 pm - 9:30 pm	General Discussion
Sunday
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:00 am	Technologies and Applications for Venoms Discussion Leader:
9:00 am - 9:05 am	Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:05 am - 9:15 am	"Assessment of Antivenom Efficacy as Part of the Reintroduction of Fav Afrique to the Global Market"
9:15 am - 9:20 am	Discussion
9:20 am - 9:30 am	"Investigating the Antivenom-Enhancing Potential of Novel Toxin-Inhibitors Against Neurotoxic Snakebite"
9:30 am - 9:35 am	Discussion
9:35 am - 9:45 am	"Development of Recombinant Antibodies for Snakebite Detection and Therapeutics"
9:45 am - 9:50 am	Discussion
9:50 am - 10:00 am	"Yeast-Display-Guided High-Throughput Discovery of Cross-Binding VHHs Against Snake Venom Toxins"
10:00 am - 10:05 am	Discussion
10:05 am - 10:15 am	"Characterization of Cone Snail Venom Gland Tissue to Develop the first Invertebrate Venom Gland Organoid"
10:15 am - 10:20 am	Discussion
10:20 am - 10:30 am	"Transposable Elements are Associated with Open Chromatin Regions (OCRs) and may Enhance the Expression of Venom Genes in Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes"
10:30 am - 10:35 am	Discussion
10:35 am - 10:45 am	"Symbiosis as a Driver of Venom Composition"
10:45 am - 10:50 am	Discussion
10:50 am - 11:00 am	General Discussion
11:00 am - 12:30 pm	Poster Session Coffee will be served in the poster area from 11:00 am - 11:30 am
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm	Mentorship Component: Building Towards Better Science Communication Practices in the Venom Field Discussion Leader:
1:30 pm - 1:35 pm	Introduction by Discussion Leader
1:35 pm - 2:20 pm	"Using Science Communication to Increase Impact"
2:20 pm - 2:25 pm	Discussion
2:25 pm - 2:30 pm	General Discussion
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm	Evaluation Period Complete the GRS Evaluation Forms; Election of Future Chair(s)
3:00 pm	Seminar Concludes

Contributors

Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by R13AT013028 from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

Conference Links

Conference History Venom Evolution, Function and Biomedical Applications

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