MƒA Thursday Think: Harnessing the Power of Venom in Labs and Classrooms

The sting of a jellyfish, the deadly touch of a blue-ringed octopus, and the piercing harpoon of a cone snail—what do these three have in common? Each animal transforms physical warfare into biochemical warfare through the production and use of venom. Venom has evolved in ~15-35% of the animal kingdom—across air, land, and sea. Why is it so pervasive, and what have scientists learned from studying it? In this talk, Dr. Mandë Holford will present venom’s scientific path from mollusks to medicine, describing venom’s evolution in terebrid snails and cephalopods and discussing venomic breakthroughs in therapeutic discoveries. Dr. Holford will also share classroom resources to bring science alive and position students as scientists.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Math for America, 160 5th Avenue, New York, United States