Understanding how venom glands develop to reveal new medicines
Official title: Charting evolutionary development of complex traits and the molecular mechanisms of venom gland tissue organization
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11602236 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Corsortium at Harvard studies how venom glands form and work in different animals to uncover new ways to create and use powerful medicines for human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,169,225 |
| NIH project number | 7DP1AT012812-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11602236 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who could benefit from future venom-derived therapies or pain-management options.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage discovery studies may not directly benefit patients in the short term.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on comparing how venom glands develop across species to identify the key genes and processes that shape venom production. By building model systems to manipulate venom gland development, researchers aim to reveal mechanisms that could guide the design of new therapeutic molecules. The work could pave the way for precision medicines inspired by venom compounds and improve our understanding of tissue development in general. While the project centers on venom biology, its outcomes may influence how we approach pain, cancer, and other diseases with bioactive peptides.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new, targeted medicines derived from venom peptides for humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown venom-derived compounds can treat various conditions, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holford, Mande — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Holford, Mande
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.