Have you ever had the chance to hold a snake? Did you know that a snake’s lung is almost the length of its entire body? Are you aware of the power and potential of venom within medical research?
On Wednesday, Lower I to Lower IV had the exciting opportunity to learn all about snakes from Professor of Cardiovascular & Venom Pharmacology at the University of Reading, Sakathi Vaiyapuri.
It was a joy to see Junior School students joining older Abbey students in our Lecture Theatre. As an ARCH event, it was also a pleasure to welcome students from eight other schools in the area. All coming together to share an inspiring insight into the slithery reptiles.
Professor Vaiyapuri shared mind-blowing facts from how snakes can hear without ears, to how binocular vision works. We learnt how snakes move, including how the Ornate Flying Snake lives up to its name, and how they use their scales as hinges to enable them to pull themselves along. It was compelling to learn how they not only hunt and catch prey, but also how they defend themselves.
Professor Vaiyapuri concluded by explaining how important venom is within medicine and the important research that is being carried out at the University of Reading. The development of new, effective treatments have the potential to save lives, reduce disabilities and improve socio-economic effects caused by snake bites. In fact, Professor Vaiyapuri has just started trials of what could be a universal antidote to snake bites – phenomenal!
Junior School Headteacher, Mrs Newton, thanked the professor and shared that she won’t brush her hair the same again, now that she knows it’s made from the same things as snake scales – keratin.
Then it was time, for those who wanted to, to come face to face with real life snakes! Guests had the chance to hold one of six different snakes. The quickly-formed queue was alive with anticipation and it was brilliant to see so many huge smiles – and a few looks of horror – as people started having snakes placed on their shoulders!
A huge thank you to Professor Sakathi Vaiyapuri for giving up his time to turn us into snake experts and deepen our understanding of how important they are in the medical world, as well as for our environment.
