Decoding Venom.
Transforming Therapy.

We study venomous animals to uncover how life diversifies and evolves. Our research connects biodiversity, biogeography, and molecular evolution with the development of antivenoms, snakebite diagnostics, and new therapeutic possibilities from venom.

Ecological Venomics — Indian King Cobra and Russell's Viper with ecological and proteomic variation telemetry

Evolutionary Ecology

Diet · Ontogeny · Climate

Phenotypic Variation

Geographic & intraspecific shifts

Phylogenetics and Biogeography — Tarantula, Scorpion, Viper, and Cnidarian around a circular phylogenetic tree

Species Phylogenetics

Cryptic diversity · Lineage history

Biogeography & Genomics

Diversification · Gene flow

Molecular Evolution — DNA helix unwinding into 3FTx and PLA2 toxin structures with positive selection hotspots

Adaptive Evolution

Toxin innovation · Selection regimes

Genomic Architecture

Gene family expansion · Neofunctionalization

Therapeutics — Monoclonal antibodies, VHH nanobodies, and small molecules neutralising snake venom toxins

Biologics & Diagnostics

Recombinant mAbs · Nanobodies

Small-Molecule Inhibitors

Synthetic & phytocompound adjuncts

Science Translational Medicine 2026 cover featuring King Cobra

Featured Publication

Oligoclonal Nanobody Antivenom

Recombinant nanobody antivenom protected mice against Indian cobra and king cobra venoms. Published in Science Translational Medicine (2026).

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Deccan Herald Changemaker

Recognised among the 2026 Changemakers for research on snakebite diagnostics and antivenom therapies in India.

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Latest Update

Anthropic AI for Science

Using Claude to analyse venom datasets, identify shared toxin targets, and support antivenom discovery.

Explore Update

RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

Six research themes. From venom evolution to lifesaving innovation.

We investigate venomous life, from genes and venoms to species and ecosystems, to uncover its natural history, trace its evolution and diversification, and reveal the ecological and genetic forces that shape it. We translate these insights into new possibilities for diagnostics, antivenoms and therapeutics.

All research themes Key discoveries

How diet, environment, and life history shape venom diversity.

Developing antivenoms, diagnostics, and therapeutics from venom research.

Reconstructing evolutionary relationships and uncovering hidden species diversity.

Understanding how geography and Earth’s history shape species distributions and diversification.

Exploring genetic diversity, gene flow, and evolutionary history through genomes.

Investigating how genes and proteins evolve to generate new functions.