Venom antiepileptics: Spider-inspired solutions for seizures
Congratulations to Sophion’s latest research grant winner Dr. Daniela Rojas Azofeifa.
Dr. Azofeifa, of Prof. Glenn King’s lab, University of Queensland, is in our Copenhagen labs to work with Dr. Kim Boddum, aiming to find novel anti-epileptic therapeutics based on spider venom toxins.
We caught up with Dr. Azofeifa to welcome her to our headquarters and to get her thoughts on the aims and ambitions of her research grant.
In a sentence or two can you give a summary of what you will work on in Sophion’s labs?
I will be evaluating the modulatory effects of a large library of spider venoms and venom fractions on Kv7.2/7.3 channels, as well as exploring selectivity across the Kv7.x family. By using Sophion’s Qube 384 automated patch clamp platform, I aim to streamline screening and generate high-quality data that can accelerate the identification of promising therapeutic leads for epilepsy and related neurological conditions.
What was the impetus that first got you into spider venoms & their use in diseases like epilepsy?
I was drawn to spider venoms because they are an incredibly rich and largely available source of disulfide-rich peptides molecules, evolved over millions of years to precisely modulate ion channels. Many of these peptides target sodium and potassium channels that play central roles in neuronal excitability. Since epilepsy often arises from dysfunction in these channels, venoms provide a natural toolbox for discovering modulators that could inspire new treatments.
Any surprises that struck you whilst doing your venom work?
One of the biggest surprises has been the opportunity to work hands-on with some of the world’s most venomous spiders, which at first sounds terrifying but quickly becomes a fascinating privilege. Another highlight has been the fieldwork and collection of these spiders on K’gari Island, one of the most beautiful sand islands in Australia.
Were there key challenges that you managed to overcome or techniques that needed mastering?
Electrophysiology has definitely been one of the steepest learning curves. We all know that patch-clamp techniques are incredibly powerful but require patience and practice to master. Each new experiment teaches me how to refine the technique and interpret subtle channel behaviors, which is crucial for understanding how venoms modulate ion channels.
Where do you see the lab’s work going in the next few years?
In the next few years, I would like to see our work progress toward identifying venom-derived peptides that can serve as strong therapeutic candidates, both through demonstrating efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. The immediate focus is on epilepsy, where there’s an urgent need for new therapies, but our approaches could also extend to pain and other neurological disorders. Ultimately, I hope that some of these peptides will transition into preclinical-clinical development.
Does your geographical location in Australia give you a degree of independence and pioneering spirit that benefits your science, or do you feel that collaborations, funding, etc. are sometimes limited by it?
One of the real strengths of Australian science is its culture of collaboration (and particularly, in IMB). Researchers here are very open to working across disciplines and institutions, which quickens progress and makes projects more dynamic. However, funding is always a challenge, and recent cuts have been felt strongly, but on the positive side, Australia’s extraordinary biodiversity provides access to unique venoms that are unavailable elsewhere, giving us an invaluable resource for discovery and innovation.
You can also expand your research!
