Bitten for Science

Tim Friede, a mechanic and snake collector, has been bitten more than 200 times by some of the world’s deadliest snakes—on purpose. His goal was to build up immunity, or resistance, to venom to help scientists create better treatments for snakebites. (Scientists caution that this is not something anyone should do, as the results can be deadly.)

Recently, researchers at the biotech company Centivax in California used molecules found in Friede’s blood to create a medicine called antivenom. When tested in mice, the antivenom could fully or partially neutralize the toxins found in the venom of 19 of the world’s deadliest snakes, such as mambas, cobras, and coral snakes. These toxins paralyze victims’ muscles, including those needed for breathing. Typically, antivenom must be tailored to a specific snake’s venom to be effective. But this new research may lead to a universal antivenom that could treat a wide variety of snakebites. This could save countless lives each year.