Your Rattlesnake Bite Might Not Kill You

Millions of years ago all rattlesnakes had venom that could poison blood, damage muscles, and attack nervous systems. No more. Researchers funded by Maryland's Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that evolution caused rattlesnakes to specialize to deal with prey, such as the mongoose, that grew resistant to certain venom. Rattlesnakes began to inherit only the genes for the one or two toxins they needed.

     Mojave rattlesnakes only kept their power to cripple a nervous system. Eastern and Western Diamondbacks didn't, but they still can harm blood vessels and muscles.

     Once researchers see how a rattlesnake's toxin controls blood pressure, by blood coagulation or platelet formation for example, they might be able to use this information about physiology to reduce hypertension. Clues such as this can improve patient health and, yes, lead to a million dollar drug payoff.

     You can never predict where basic research will lead.