Today, I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Baldomero M. Olivera, the second speaker in the UP Centennial Lecture Series via video telecast at the SEARCA Umali Auditorium here UPLB. He was conferred Doctor of Science, honoris causa, by the university at the UP Film Center at the UPD amidst well decorated alumni, directors, regents, chancellors, students and of course some special guests.
His lecture was entitled, FROM CONE SNAIL VENOMS TO DRUGS: THE SCIENTIFIC ODYSSEY OF A UP GRADUATE. Being a zoology major, his topic on conotoxin as a potent neurotoxin that could replace morphine as a pain reliever interested me. His flag species, Conus magus, which is particularly abundant here in the country, has a remarkable venom that can do something similar to a combination drug therapy.
A t first, he did a simple experiment called The Falling Assay wherein he injected the venom to a mouse, tied it upside down and timed it’s reaction (jerking movement or sometimes paralysis) until the mouse would fall down. The reaction would signal as to how fast the venom has affected the animal. After that, he decoded the peptide sequence of the venom and revealed that it had over a hundred amino acids, but only 22 were responsible for the characteristic paralysis.
Next, he isolated the other venom components and tested them individually on mice via direct injection to the animal’s CNS. Surprisingly, the components gave different reactions (e.g. scratched its head, moved to the right, jerked to the left etc) which led Dr. Olivera to conclude that the venom was not only for stinging; but also for (1) defense against predators, (2) against competitors and (3) for their prey spectrum which would enable them to eat a larger variety of organisms.
Eventually, his findings led him to isolate a certain venom component which he called an omega-conotoxin which blocks the calcium channels and hinder transmission of signals from a nerve cell membrane to its neighbor. In other words, it could block pain, other sensations and further damage from spreading just like morphine (pain reliever) does when used for cancer treatment. The good side of the omega-conotoxin, unlike morphine, is that it is less addictive and builds less drug tolerance. Omega-conotoxin is now a major component of a drug, Prialt, which is widely used in the US and in Europe. Another good thing about Dr. Olivera’s findings is that, the venom used in the synthesis of omega-conotoxin has been genetically decoded; meaning it can now be reproduced artificially and not endanger the cone snails from being hunted down.
I think the most important lesson, apart from the stunning and awe-inspiring scientific breakthrough he concocted, is for all of us to continue to strive harder and to have bigger dreams. He said that when we take on a particular goal, there is always that greater chance of encountering a grander dream than the first one we had. To me, that’s something like infinite, a continuum of some sort that would give direction and meaning to our lives, especially if you’re one to seek fulfillment in the academe. He was absolutely amazing; really, really amazing and inspiring.
But the bad thing came when the UPD’s Business Administration Dean asked Dr. Olivera about that ‘whatever’; if that ‘whatever’ could generate money and benefit the country. She had the nerve to belittle Dr. Olivera’s achievement and label it as if it was irrelevant. Unknown to her, she exposed herself to everyone that she (1) didn’t listen, (2) was just interested in the monetary gain of the possible project and (3) acted so unbecoming of a DEAN of a notable university. She repeatedly called omega-conotoxins or conotoxins ‘whatever‘ the entire time she was up. And to think that only one precious question from each UP unit (9 to be exact, including Open University) would be entertained as time was limited. She wasted that opportunity, no doubt. Everyone from the SEARCA Audi around me weren’t laughing at her remark. Some of the profs were mad and were ready to pounce her. I mean, who wouldn’t get annoyed with her? It doesn’t matter if she’s not a science major or if she’s a novice on Chemistry, Marine Science and Biology etc; the point is, she could have listened intently and jotted notes if she had trouble understanding the topic. Was it so hard to write some key words down and take notes? That’s THE most basic thing professors teach us in college or even in high school. Majority of the people present at the SEARCA Audi had the same thoughts about her supposed shortcoming. Kainis talaga.
Yep it was a nice lecture, also been there. Though the applications especially on the nicotinamide-ACh gates are more intresting plus the actions of the lightning Cabal and the Nirvana Cabal