Venomics

This project explores the venom composition of the five native viper species of Greece—Vipera ammodytes, Vipera berus bosniensis, Vipera graeca, Montivipera xanthina, and Macrovipera schweizeri—through a comprehensive venomics approach. Despite their ecological importance and medical relevance, the venoms of these species remain poorly characterized, particularly in relation to geographic variation and environmental influences. The project applies integrative methodologies, including proteomic, transcriptomic, and bioinformatic analyses, to decode the molecular diversity of viper venoms and investigate their evolutionary, ecological, and functional underpinnings. By comparing venom profiles across species, populations, and habitats, this project aims to uncover adaptive patterns, identify unique or medically significant components, and assess how environmental pressures such as climate or prey availability may shape venom variation. This research not only advances our understanding of venom evolution in extreme and diverse environments but also has direct implications for antivenom development, public health, and the conservation of these often-misunderstood predators.