Hidden beneath the forest floor, the humble millipede may hold the key to treating pain and neurological diseases.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have uncovered a new family of complex molecules in the secretions of a native millipede species. These compounds, potent enough to confuse ants, also interact with human brain receptors linked to pain relief. Now, researchers are racing to synthesize these brain-tweaking molecules, potentially transforming one of nature’s oldest creatures into a surprising source of healing.
Millipedes’ Secret Weapon: A New Frontier in Drug Discovery…