Science

Spider venom could lead to breast cancer cure

Australian scientists are studying spider venom with the hope it could hold the key to curing breast cancer. James Cook University (JCU) Professor Norelle Daly has received a research grant from the National Breast Cancer Foundation to analyze whether the venom of tarantulas and funnel web spiders can kill breast cancer cells.

Daly will test her theory in the lab by isolating the hundreds of molecules in spider venom and exposing them to cancer cells to see how they react.

Daly is also studying the gac, a spiky, red Southeast Asian fruit, which has shown promising results in the lab in fighting cancer.