A diverse venom array is ideal for those projects or targets where there are no known venom leads and where a targeted approach is too risky. Crude venom can be used in circumstances where a cell-free biochemical assay is available, as these assays are less sensitive to off-target effects. Each venom contains several hundred different components. Deconvolution takes longer, but still delivers useful tools for novel targets.
The Diverse Venom Array consists of 30 crude venoms in triplicate, from a phylogenetically and geographically diverse set of species. These venoms are selected to maximise hit potential on novel targets. As venom evolved independently in snakes, scorpions, spiders and centipedes, there is a large diversity of molecular classes. The array contains venoms from species of different continents and habitats that powers natural selection in different ways.
This product is used as a pre-screen to inform the design of a Targeted Venom Discovery Array™ (T-VDA™).