Chaos after US tarantula crossing as deadliest spider in Oz could help treat heart disease

An intrepid tarantula caused chaos in the US last weekend after crossing a road in front of a camper van. The tourists reportedly braked and swerved after spotting the spider gamely making its way across the road in Death Valley national park.

The tarantula, thought to be looking for love, managed to skedaddle unharmed, but not before causing a motorcyclist to crash into the rear of the offcourse campervan. The rider was transported to hospital as park rangers urged visitors and motorists to use caution during tarantula mating season.

But Australia’s most feared spider is making different headlines as an action hero arachnid. The venom* of the deadly funnel-web spider could potentially limit damage to a person’s brain and heart when they suffer a heart attack or stroke*, a Queensland researcher* has found.

The man behind the breakthrough*, Professor Glenn King, from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, believes venom molecules* could be the difference between life and death, and improve a survivor’s quality of life.

Trials* to advance this study will begin next year.

Prof King has been researching spider venom for more than 25 years for various uses.

He started as a cancer biologist* trying to understand how proteins* cause cancer, before moving into spider venom and using it to create a new range of insecticides*.

He then delved into the medical potential of venom molecules and made incredible discoveries with the IB001 molecule in funnel-web spider venom from K’gari (Fraser Island).

The IB001 molecule could be administered* by first responders* rather than only at hospital, broadening the potential positive impacts for patients no matter where they are.

“When we have a stroke, there is no oxygen getting to that part of the brain,” he said.

“But the brain is also producing a lot of lactic acid* that it can’t clear, so it builds up and the brain becomes acidic and neurons* (experience cell death).

“These molecules can block that (cell death) signal and save neurons in the patient’s brain.

“We believe we can administer the molecule eight hours after the stroke and spare up to two-thirds of the brain damage that could have occurred.

“The heart is the other organ that is really sensitive to a lack of oxygen, but we found the venom molecule protected the heart after a heart attack.”

Prof King said the venom molecule also had potential to protect a heart during a transplant* procedure and increase the number of hearts that make it into their recipient’s* body.

“The issue is that we don’t have a single drug that will protect the heart during a heart attack or the brain during a stroke, they are at mercy* of whatever happens,” he said.

“We’re aiming to protect the heart and brain and hopefully save a lot of people, but also ensure those who survive a heart attack or stroke have a much better quality of life*.”

Prof King was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Innovation, which comes with $250,000 prize money, at a special ceremony in Canberra.

“The most important thing is the recognition, knowing the Prime Minister and Science Minister recognise what we are doing and want to support it,” he said.

“Hopefully we can inspire younger scientists to take these risks. You don’t always succeed, but we need more people to take these risks.”

Prof King co-founded a Brisbane-based company, Infensa Bioscience, which will run the clinical trials* next year investigating the benefits of the venom molecule for heart attack and heart transplant patients.

GLOSSARY

• venom: a poisonous substance that some animals, like spiders, have to defend themselves or catch their prey
• stroke: when the blood flow to the brain stops or is interrupted. Without blood flow, brain cells do not get enough oxygen and can die
• researcher: a person who studies and learns about things to find out more about them
• breakthrough: a significant discovery or achievement, something new and important
• molecules: tiny particles that make up everything, like building blocks of matter
• trials: tests or experiments to see if something works or is safe
• biologist: a scientist who studies living things, like animals and plants
• proteins: a type of substance in our bodies that does many important jobs
• insecticides: substances used to kill insects, like bugs or pests
• administered: given or applied, like giving medicine to someone
• first responder: a person whose job entails being first on the scene of an emergency, such as paramedic or firefighter
• lactic acid: a chemical that our muscles produce when they work hard
• neurons: special cells in our brains and bodies that help us think and feel
• cell death: when cells in our bodies stop working and die
• transplant: moving an organ or body part from one person to another to save a life
• recipient: the person who receives something, like an organ in a transplant
• mercy: being at the mercy of something means you have no control over it, like being helpless
• quality of life: how good or comfortable a person’s life is
• clinical trials: testing new medicines or treatments on people to see if they are safe and effective

EXTRA READING

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QUICK QUIZ

1. What does Professor Glenn King believe venom molecules from deadly funnel-web spiders could do for heart attack and stroke patients?
2. When are trials to advance this study scheduled to begin?
3. What is the name of the venom molecule from funnel-web spiders that could be administered by first responders to save neurons in the brain?
4. What two organs in the human body are really sensitive to a lack of oxygen?
5. Why does Prof King think the venom molecule could be beneficial during heart transplant procedures?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Scientist discovery
Hopefully this Kids News story inspires the younger generation to become the future of science to make some more life-changing discoveries.

If you were to become a scientist, list three areas that you would like to research to make a difference in the world?

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What animal or other products can you think of, like this spider venom, that might be able to be used in modern day medicine?

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
What do you think motivates scientists such as Professor King to work their whole life researching things such as proteins causing cancer and spider venom helping stroke and heart attack victims?

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Venom with a purpose
The hardest part of writing can be coming up with a good idea to get you started. You need a seed, that will grow into a bigger idea.

Today your goal is to develop some story/text ideas based on the potential use of funnel-web spider venom for medical purposes as described in the article. Let your creativity flow and think about how science and nature can bring about positive changes in people’s lives!

Begin by reading the article about funnel-web spider venom’s potential use in medical treatments for heart attacks and strokes. Imagine you are an author, and you want to write a story or informative text about the fascinating discovery of venom’s medical potential. Your task is to generate three creative story/text ideas inspired by this article.

Be imaginative! Think about different perspectives and angles that could make engaging stories or informative texts. How can spider venom be used in saving lives and improving the quality of life?

Each idea should be brief but intriguing. It doesn’t have to be a full story; just a concept or a direction for a story or text.

Consider how these stories or texts could inspire or educate people about the potential benefits of spider venom.

Extension: Select the idea you find the most exciting and interesting. Write a brief introduction or description of your chosen idea. This should be a short paragraph that introduces the concept or topic of your story or text.

Don’t forget to read back over your beginning out loud to check that it makes sense and it is engaging.

Now you are ready to share!

Share your chosen idea and its introduction with a friend or family member. Ask them which one they find most engaging and why.