The Edge: Conversations

Dr Nathan Palpant is at the heart of daring discovery

Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ Season 2 Episode 6

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0:00 | 12:01

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet, despite decades of research, there are no new therapeutics that have made their way into clinics.  

Dr Nathan Palpant believes we need a new approach to treating heart disease and that's exactly what he and his team have done, with a little help from a venomous spider.

Nathan and his team have discovered that a new molecule from spider venom stops cell death in heart attacks and strokes, reducing the harm caused from the injury. It's an incredible discovery with potentially massive implications for healthcare and people at risk of heart attacks.