A groundbreaking sugar-based sensor developed by scientists at the University of Warwick may revolutionize how snake venom is detected—saving lives faster, cheaper, and more accurately than ever before.
Key Points at a Glance
- New venom test uses synthetic sugars instead of antibodies
- Test detects toxins from the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
- Gold nanoparticles amplify the venom-binding signal
- The test is fast, low-cost, and distinguishes between snake species
- Potential for adaptation to other toxins and medical diagnostics
Every five minutes, somewhere in the world, a person is bitten by a snake. In that same interval, four of them will face permanent disability—and one will die. For victims, survival hinges on rapid and precise detection of the venom slithering through their veins. Now, researchers from the University of Warwick have introduced a promising new technology that could transform that critical moment forever.
Published in the journal ACS Biomacromolecules, their new test swaps complex antibodies for a deceptively simple solution: sugar. Specifically, synthetic sugar chains known as glycopolymers are engineered to mimic the natural sugar structures in human cells that venom toxins usually target. When venom binds to these sugar mimics, it triggers a visible color change thanks to gold nanoparticles embedded in the test—a visual cue that a dangerous toxin is present.
“This is the first time sugars have been used in a rapid diagnostic tool for snake venom,” said Dr. Alex Baker, lead researcher and head of the Baker Humanitarian Chemistry Group at Warwick. “And it works because many venoms naturally bind to sugar molecules on the surface of our cells.”
The team focused on venom from the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), a highly venomous species found in North America. Its venom specifically latches onto galactose-terminal glycans—sugar chains ending in the sugar galactose—on red blood cells and platelets. Once attached, the venom can wreck havoc by disrupting clotting and immune responses.
To recreate these conditions in the lab, researchers created custom glycopolymers and attached them to gold nanoparticles. When C. atrox venom binds to the sugars, it triggers the particles to clump and the solution to change color—a clear, visible signal of danger.
This system could become a game-changer, particularly in remote regions where snakebites are most deadly and access to sophisticated labs is limited. Traditional antibody-based venom detection is expensive, slow, and technically demanding. In contrast, this sugar test is low-cost, easy to store, and adaptable to multiple venom types. Even better, it can distinguish between different species of snake venom based on their sugar-binding behavior.
“When we tested venom from the Indian Cobra (Naja naja), it didn’t bind to our synthetic glycans,” explained Mahdi Hezwani, first author of the study. “That means our test can not only detect venom—it can help identify which snake caused the bite.”
This specificity opens the door to targeted antivenom treatment. Instead of administering a broad-spectrum antivenom—which may be less effective and come with side effects—clinicians could deliver exactly what’s needed, reducing risk and improving outcomes.
The team’s breakthrough also builds on their previous work using glycopolymer-nanoparticle platforms for detecting COVID-19. That experience helped them optimize the sensitivity and portability of the venom assay.
Looking ahead, the researchers envision a new generation of smart diagnostics that use tailor-made sugar structures to detect all kinds of biological threats. Snake venom, it turns out, might just be the beginning.
“This is bold chemistry that serves a global need,” said Dr. Baker. “With further development, sugar-based sensors could become vital tools in the fight against snakebite mortality, particularly in low-resource settings.”
Source: University of Warwick
