Animal venoms are sophisticated biological weapon systems composed of secreted proteins and peptides that are used for immobilizing or killing prey and in defense against predators. They evolved on numerous occasions, resulting in toxin mixtures capable of affecting, alone or synergistically, key physiological functions of prey organisms, such as those of the hemostatic, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. The premise of our studies on toxin response is that cells, tissues, organisms are affected by venoms and isolated toxins in a complex and heterogeneous fashion. Therefore, alternative methodological frames are necessary to understand the complexity of toxin pathological alterations, considering the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of host response.

We focus on the application of experimental and computational approaches of Systems Biology to uncover molecular targets and mechanisms of action of peptide toxins, as well as, to design and test proofs of concept for potential technological innovations. The approaches to study venom toxin- induced local and systemic effects must analyze the host response to envenoming, i.e., the regulated response of the organism to the venom, displayed as changes in gene expression and alterations in signaling pathways. Along with this line, the Center’s established expertise in immunology, pharmacology, transcriptomics, proteomics and computational analysis is combined in an effort to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of host response to spider, snake and fish toxins, as described below.