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.
Recombinant nanobody antivenom protected mice against Indian cobra and king cobra venoms. Published in Science Translational Medicine (2026).
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Recognised among the 2026 Changemakers for research on snakebite diagnostics and antivenom therapies in India.
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Using Claude to analyse venom datasets, identify shared toxin targets, and support antivenom discovery.
Explore UpdateWe 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.
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.
Associate Professor at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, and founder of the Evolutionary Venomics Lab, VISHAM, and Venomics AI.
Our team brings together expertise in ecology, evolution, genetics, biochemistry, and biotechnology to study venomous animals and their venoms.
Explore our research on ecology, biodiversity, evolutionary relationships, genomics, venom biology, and therapeutics.
Essays and field stories on venomous animals, evolution, snakebite research, and natural history.
Wildlife, landscapes, and macro photography by Kartik Sunagar.
Explore opportunities in the lab or contact us about collaborations, media enquiries, and speaking invitations.
