Infinite variance of snakes from medication to robots

Also according to the lunar calendar 2025 is the year of the snake.

That being said in this next report we take a look at the intriguing medical contributions of these reptiles.

Cha Yun-kyung reports.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the most common chronic diseases in South Korea.

The ACE protein in the human body is the cause as it raises blood pressure by contracting blood vessels.

Scientists in the U.S. have discovered substances in snake venom that suppress this protein, and have developed them as treatments for hypertension. One of those was captopril, the first medication based on venom, which was approved by the FDA in 1981.

"There are various kinds of proteins in snake venom and scientists are developing them as treatments after finding out their therapeutic effects through research. There are actually numerous kinds of them. What I have found was in cobra toxin "

New research has found that snake venom proteins are not only effective for hypertension but also for cancer, and scientists are trying to develop new types of cancer treatment.

Brazilian researchers back in 2023 also found that proteins derived from snake venom induce cell death in melanoma, a skin cancer. The researchers are expecting a more dramatic therapeutic effect if the newly found substances are used in combination therapy.

In addition to medical uses, robots are being developed in the shape of snakes for exploration and rescue work.

These developed robotic snakes can move easily on snow, and pass through narrow holes.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the U.S. has developed this kind of robot to observe the subterranean ocean on Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons.

This robot is designed to move by itself and create maps after sensing the surrounding environment autonomously.

In 2021, the Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence showcased snake-shaped robots, that can find survivors in disaster sites by crawling around and through the rubble.

They can also provide water and drugs to survivors.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.