Venom & antivenom research

For centuries scientists and medical practitioners have studied the properties and effects of venoms and other naturally occurring toxins. Venom research is separated into two main streams:

• Toxicology - the study of the effects of toxins, their mechanisms of action, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of intoxications.
• Toxinology - the study of the chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of toxins.

Better understanding of how a toxin works, the damage it can cause, and the clinical symptoms it induces will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of poisonings.