The Nigerian website "24Hours Naija News" devotes a report to the use of insects such as termites and grasshoppers in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV).
The article includes a reference to the research on the use of wasp venom as a strategy to kill cancer cells selectively lead by Ernest Giralt, head of the Design, Synthesis and Structure of Peptides and Proteins Lab at IRB Barcelona.
Link to 24Hours Naija News
RNE's "Inquietamente" programme has interviewed Meritxell Teixidó, IRB Barcelona research associate, about the study based on scorpion venom. "We saw that there was a peptide in the scorpion venom, chlorotoxin, which has the ability to reach the central nervous system and then act as toxin, "said Teixidó.
Link to RNE
TV3, RAC1, ABC, World Pharma News, Neuro Science, among other national and international media, have published articles about the research from the Peptides and Proteins Lab at IRB Barcelona. The study in question is inspired on the scorpion venom to deliver medicines to brain. The scientists have modified a peptide from the venom and used it as a shuttle to transport drugs across the barrier that protects the brain.
Link to TV3
Researchers at IRB Barcelona modify chlorotoxin—a small protein present in scorpion venom with blood-brain barrier permeability—to transport drugs into the brain.
The barrier, which protects the brain, prevents drugs used for the treatment of neurological diseases and brain tumours from entering the organ.
