Verve Biotech, LLC

12/21/2023

Atheris squamigera (Variable Bush Viper) from West and Central Africa.

The variable bush viper can be found in a variety of colors and patterns including, but not limited to, green, orange, yellow, red, and black.

There is no specific antivenom for this species currently.

Envenomations can cause nausea, headache, edema and in severe cases, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, renal failure, and hemorrhage.

A case study of an envenomation from an Atheris squamigera can be found at the link below.
https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.toxrep.2022.11.003

08/03/2023

A black widow with a smile?!

This is the South American Black Widow (Latrodectus curacaviensis).

Latrodectus species (widow spiders including the Australian Redback spider) are found on every continent except for Antarctica.

Latrodectus venom contain Latrotoxin, which causes muscle cramping and pain in vertebrates.

05/15/2023

We are excited to announce that we have moved into the Biotech Connector at the Nebraska Innovation Campus today! This expands our ability to provide high quality contract research services and progress our venom research.

03/29/2023

We find nature incredibly fascinating.

This amazing species we are working with is Calommata signata (purse web spider)

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Photo by Dan Fogell

03/11/2023

It is always an absolute joy when Joel Sartore, Photographer stops by to capture spectacular images of the invertebrates we work with.

If you want to see more of his incredible work, check out https://www.joelsartore.com

08/05/2022

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the Photo Ark project!

Can you spot the live Mexican fire leg tarantula amongst the sheddings of other tarantulas in this photo? As tarantulas grow, they shed their old exoskeletons, revealing new sensory and protective hairs that help individuals detect smells, tastes, and vibrations. Molting also helps to shed external parasites, keeping tarantulas healthy. Photo taken at Verve Biotech, LLC.

06/03/2022

Education is an important component to our business. We are thrilled to participate in Joel Sartore’s National Geographic Photo Ark project. This is one of many species Joel has photographed in our collection.

Photo: Mastigoproctus floridanus (Florida Vinegaroon)

This unique species emits a liquid containing acetic acid when threatened leaving a vinegar smell in the air!

Check out Joel’s work at
Joel Sartore, Photographer
www.joelsartore.com

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www.vervebiotech.com

06/02/2022

Hottentotta tamulus (Indian Red Scorpion) with babies.

Considered one of the most venomous scorpion species responsible for a high number of mortalities and morbidities.

Reported symptoms from an envenomation of this species are pain and numbness at the sting site, swelling, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, sweating, salivation, hypotension, hypertension, piloerection and priapism, vomiting, parasternal systolic lift, cardiac arrhythmias, cold extremities, pulmonary edema, and heart failure.

YIKES!

https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10122379

05/31/2022

Can you see it?! Comment below on what you think!

Heteropoda sp. Javana

Camouflage is on point!

www.vervebiotech.com

05/18/2022

We have gained many new followers over the last few weeks, welcome! We are a biotechnology company focused on exploring the amazing characteristics of venom!

www.vervebiotech.com

Photo: Heteroctenus junceus (Cuban Blue Scorpion) that has freshly molted it’s exoskeleton. It is vulnerable to predators until it’s new exoskeleton hardens over the next few days.

This species was documented preying upon small lizards and frogs in it’s native habitat. (T. M. Rodríguez-Cabrera, Euscorpius - Occasional Publications in Scorpiology. 2021, No. 342)

The venom was also evaluated for anti cancer properties. (A. Díaz-García, J Venom Res. 2013; 4: 5–12)