IMB Centre for Pain Research

Funnel-web spider. Credit: Sharath J Vois/iStock.

Fatal spider venom could protect against post-stroke brain damage

Published on: 3 September 2018

Professor Glenn King and partners have discovered a peptide in the venom of funnel-web spiders that could drastically reduce brain damage following stroke.

Cells called sensory neurons transmit pain signals and can be studied to help us develop treatments and learn more about chronic pain.

Video: What is chronic pain and how can animal venom help?

One in five people worldwide suffer from chronic pain. But what is it, and how can the venom from creatures such as spiders and cone snails help us treat this debilitating condition?

Animal venoms don’t just cause pain, they may soon be a cure for it too

Bites or stings from venomous animals or insects can be dangerous; they lead to numerous fatalities globally each year despite the development of antivenoms that can neutralise many of their worst effects.

Purple tarantula bird spider. Credit: Shutterstock/Lucasz Kowalkowski.

Next-gen painkillers from nature’s deadliest life forms

Published on: 23 July 2018

Researchers are figuring out how to manipulate venom extracted from some of the deadliest species in the world, to combat the various forms of pain we experience.

What to do if you burn yourself

Burns are one of the most common injuries, affecting as many as 200,000 Australians each year. This is what to do if a burn occurs.

Neurons are involved in sensing chronic pain. Credit: istock/whitehoune

About pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. One in five people suffers from chronic pain, which lasts beyond the normal time it takes the body to heal and has many causes.

Associate Professor Irina Vetter is a UQ Women Create Change Ambassador.

A/Prof Irina Vetter - UQ Women Create Change Ambassador

Published on: 10 July 2018

A/Prof Irina Vetter is a UQ Women Create Change Ambassador for the SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN.

Spider silk is a bit like a cross between steel and rubber. Mai Lam/The Conversation NY-BD-CC, CC BY-SA

What are spider webs made from and how strong are they?

Published on: 5 March 2018

Spider webs are made from silk. And silk is made from something scientists call “proteins”. Proteins are special chemicals made by a living thing - like an animal or a plant. You have lots of them in your body. Proteins usually have a certain job to do.

Fatal spider venom could protect against post-stroke brain damage

Video: What is chronic pain and how can animal venom help?

Animal venoms don’t just cause pain, they may soon be a cure for it too

Next-gen painkillers from nature’s deadliest life forms

What to do if you burn yourself

About pain

A/Prof Irina Vetter - UQ Women Create Change Ambassador

What are spider webs made from and how strong are they?

Drug discovery and peptide engineering using venom peptides

Neuropharmacology and pain mechanisms

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