Specialists from the Research Center in Food and Development (CIAD) announced that they are working with scientists in Argentina to seek solutions against the health problems caused by the bite of brown recluse spider (also known as violin spider).
Mexican experts pointed out that the bite of this arachnid is a public health problem due to the toxicity of its venom, which can generate gangrene or kidney failure in physically vulnerable population, such as elderly or infants.
Generally, the bite does not generate pain or discomfort until hours or days after the arthropod has attacked. For this reason, the identification of the sting is a very important issue, the CIAD highlighted in a statement.
The researchers are working on the production of a novel detection system, and they are joining their experiences in biotechnology of recombinant proteins and in arachnology. The project will have important advances with benefits and applications for public health.
Aldana Laino, of the Institute of Biochemical Studies (INIBIOLP) of the National University of La Plata Argentina, did a research stay at the CIAD for a month, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with the scientific group of Rogerio Sotelo Mundo, María Auxiliadora Islas Osuna and Karina García Orozco.
Under the Mexican-Argentinian collaboration, which began five years ago, valuable information has been generated about the Argentine tarantula Polybetes argentinus.
The Argentine researcher learned at the CIAD about the molecular tools to produce recombinant proteins and their applications.
“We anticipate a successful collaboration and positive synergy for both institutions in this collaboration,” concluded the specialists.
Source: Notimex
