Researcher biography
Project title:
The Evolution of Scorpion Venom and Morphology
Project description:
My project utilises a diverse array of novel techniques and approaches to investigate the evolution of scorpion venom and the morphological adaptation of scorpion weapons (the telson and pedipalps). Focusing primarily on usage within defensive contexts, I will attempt to characterise defensive toxicity within venom and its neutralisation by antivenom. Alongside this, I will be investigating the morphological adaptations that have evolved to facilitate scorpion’s weapon usage. Techniques including HPLC, transcriptomics, and electrophysiology will be applied to the investigation of venom. Meanwhile, primarily x-ray derived micro-analytical techniques such as micro-CT and SEM will investigate morphology.
Advisors/supervisors:
Bryan Fry, Glenn King, Sam Robinson