IUVSTA 15th International Vacuum Congress (IVC-15), AVS 48th International Symposium (AVS-48), 11th International Conference on Solid Surfaces (ICSS-11)
    Biomaterials Tuesday Sessions
       Session BI-TuP

Paper BI-TuP12
Characterization of the Crotalus Durissus Terrificus Venom by Atomic Force Microscopy

Tuesday, October 30, 2001, 5:30 pm, Room 134/135

Session: Surface Characterization and Non-Fouling Surfaces Poster Session
Presenter: J. Zhao, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e Computacao - UNICAMP, Brazil
Authors: V. Baranauskas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e Computacao - UNICAMP, Brazil
J. Zhao, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e Computacao - UNICAMP, Brazil
D.M. Dourado, UNIDEP - Brazil
M.A. Cruz-Hofling, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas - UNICAMP - Brazil
Correspondent: Click to Email
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphology of crude venom from the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. The effects of the crotalic venom on humans are systemic, leading to suffocation in fatal cases due to the neurotoxic, myotoxic and coagulative action of the components of the venom. We used adult snakes from the Pantanal region, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, that remained without food for 30 days before the venom was extracted. The venom was collected manually by a specialist and dried at room temperature. Atomic Force Microscopy images, obtained using low vertical forces, allowed characterization of the surface morphology of the samples at sub-micron resolution. Coiled and porous structures are observed. Characterization of the venom by AFM is potentially of great importance because it may allow the comparison of its natural components. Critical discussion of the experimental results and characterization of the samples by AFM are given.