Cone snails may provide better treatment options for diabetics
Aug 22, 2024, 11:45 AM
University of Utah researchers are looking into a cone snail for a faster acting diabetic treatment. (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY — Researchers at the University of Utah say the toxic venom of cone snails may lead to better treatments for patients with diabetes.
Dr. Helene Safavi is an associate professor of biochemistry at the U of U. She says the insulin in the venom of Conus geographus, a cone snail species, is faster acting than the human insulin people use now. And there are also other substances in the venom’s mixture that lowers blood sugar levels.
“The human insulin that you inject has several limitations, including that it’s not fast enough and it also has prolonged action,” Safavi said. “The insulin we find in cone snail venom doesn’t have these limitations.”
Safavi said while the research looks promising, it will still be at least another decade before this new insulin would be ready for human use.
“We wouldn’t actually use the venom itself as a diabetes treatment option,” Safavi said. “We are looking for inspiration in the venom to make better insulin.”
According to Safavi’s research, the cone snails use their venom to induce hypoglycemic shock in the snail’s prey.
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How the venom from a snail is helping researchers at the U create insulin
