Nonprofits & Activism

The power of venom — and how it could one day save your life | Mandë Holford

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. Venom can kill … or it can cure. In this fascinating talk, marine chemical biologist Mandë Holford shares her research into animal venom, from killer sea snails to platypuses and slow lorises — and explores its potential to one…

Published

4 years ago

November 18, 2020

CYBER TECH TV

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

Venom can kill … or it can cure. In this fascinating talk, marine chemical biologist Mandë Holford shares her research into animal venom, from killer sea snails to platypuses and slow lorises — and explores its potential to one day treat human diseases like cancer. The mechanism behind this powerful substance is still mysterious, Holford says, but: “Someday, snail venom might just save your life.”

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.

TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at

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43 Comments

Carol Line

November 18, 2020 at 1:59 pm

Your childhood inspired you to do this work – thank you for your research- you are an inspiration to me!

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Carlos Rodrigo

November 18, 2020 at 2:07 pm

Look at her Vampire Fangs. I think she might be a beast, like from mutant x.

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quỳnh văn

November 18, 2020 at 2:26 pm

love her vibe and knowledge

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nickjoeb

November 18, 2020 at 2:29 pm

Very promising!

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NupeAtl

November 18, 2020 at 2:31 pm

She must be Blade’s sister.

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Durga

November 18, 2020 at 2:39 pm

This is why I subscribed to Ted
They’re living up to the expectations
Great content

Reply
VMAXBX

November 18, 2020 at 2:50 pm

I am not introducing venom into my body based on the word of a….

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Britney's Wednesday

November 18, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Very cool video! This was so interesting and I was really excited to see a black scientist!!

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Todd F Wright

November 18, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Your work is fascinating, and I enjoyed the video. I am very curious to know if you are investigating solenopsin in fire ants. I have been conducting an ongoing informal field study, and I have some observations I would be happy to share with you.

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DDPWE

November 18, 2020 at 3:31 pm

Excellent video! Even more reason to stop consuming animals we do, so we don’t destroy the habitat of those we have yet to find!

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Medical Museum

November 18, 2020 at 3:48 pm

*We are venom*

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michallo

November 18, 2020 at 3:58 pm

Who is Ted and why is he talking??

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Devon Leigh Rogers

November 18, 2020 at 4:34 pm

I love Ted talks 🙌🏼

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fashionista

November 18, 2020 at 4:48 pm

reptilians

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B A

November 18, 2020 at 5:28 pm

TED comes through again with yet another totally different angle on things! Good stuff.

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Screamifyoumeanit

November 18, 2020 at 5:41 pm

Love science, facts and reality.

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Diane Blanks Sanchez

November 18, 2020 at 6:04 pm

This vid convinced me that for all infirmities, the cure is available on the planet.🌎

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Gary Clinton

November 18, 2020 at 6:15 pm

If it’s a proboscis it’s “kinda like a nose” 😂😂😂

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RK4000

November 18, 2020 at 6:23 pm

Today i learned about venom from a vampire

Reply
frenkie59

November 18, 2020 at 6:29 pm

As a pharmacist I Like the video! But the enthousiam of prialt as a alternative for opioids within treatment of pain was a bit to much given the needed intrathecal administration. I know the addiction to opioids is a serious problem, but under good supervision and a good titration of the dose to matcht the analgesic need, the risk of an opioid addiction can be minimized.

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물고기

November 18, 2020 at 7:16 pm

Damn cool, those sea snails are violent !

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André Jacques

November 18, 2020 at 11:50 pm

I am really scared about it!

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Nada Es Imposible

November 18, 2020 at 11:55 pm

I don’t trust this vampire

Reply
chas ames

November 19, 2020 at 12:02 am

All TED Talks should be like this; relatable and light-hearted.
I wouldn’t even mind if Mandë did them all.

Reply
- David A
  
  November 21, 2020 at 7:34 pm
  
  Agreed 👍
  
  Reply
- jayknight139
  
  November 22, 2020 at 11:15 pm
  
  And good sounds lol
  
  Reply
Cassie Quinn

November 19, 2020 at 12:48 am

this is incredible

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Cleber Souza

November 19, 2020 at 4:05 am

u are amazing and change my mind im nurse in Brazil and understood about this medications, TKS

Reply
sapnu_puas_owo

November 19, 2020 at 7:25 am

I’m here because of spiderman

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Aidan Sunbury

November 19, 2020 at 7:43 am

Ted talks are amazing. Especially now that people can do them remotely, it gives an incredible platform for sharing ideas.

Reply
Aykut

November 19, 2020 at 7:49 am

Wow

Reply
ahmetbirbirey

November 19, 2020 at 9:07 am

Don’t mess with her I guess

Reply
Mansour Nazeri

November 19, 2020 at 5:40 pm

دموکرات ها راست می گویند، گلوبال ها نیز، چه که هیچ مرزی روا نیست میان جامعه انسانی انشقاق ایجاد کند، حق اما با جمهوری خواهان است که اگر آمریکا به عنوان مرکز ثقل و پایگاه شرافت جامعه جهانی موجودیتی استوار و برقرار نداشته باشد و آسیب و صدمه و یا حتی خدشه ای بر اقتدار جهانشمول پایدارش بیفتد آنگاه چه نیرویی می تواند وسوسه ی اژدهای چینی را برای تصرف زمینِ نزدیک و تعدی به زمانِ بعید مهار کند، چه اراده ای می تواند روس را مجاب کند که به ولگا قناعت کند و از خواب پتر کبیر درگذرد که وارونه تعبیری داشت، همهمه ی لنین و ولوله ی استالین، چه فرمانفرمایی می باید هند را پابپا نگاه دارد در التزام رکاب خویش تا مبادا غرق توهم خود بزرگ بینی آفتی شود برای نظم نوین جهانی، چه قدرتی می بایست مراقب برزیل باشد و آراژانتین را به قیاس مغتنم نقطه گذاری کند برای روز مبادا چه حکمتِ حکومتی می تواند آفریقا و استرالیا در قلمرو پَرتِ پایینِ اقیانوس را برای حلول در اقیانوس‌ِ بالای جهانِ آزاد اقناع کند، باری با اینهمه توصیف من که اقناع نشدم حق با این است و یا آن هرچه که هست اما واقعیت عینی و ملموس، قابل درک ودربافت اینکه جهان بی مرز بی کدخدای مقتدر بی مفهوم است، خانه ی کدخدا مامن امن و امان جهان است مباد که آسیب ببیند که اگر چنین شود خانه همه اهل ابادی دیر یا زود ویران می شود

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Mi Amor

November 19, 2020 at 8:56 pm

No one is talking about her fangs 😅😅😅😱

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Nicholas Lipowski

November 20, 2020 at 5:19 am

What a likeable beautiful person

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ExiledEve

November 20, 2020 at 12:47 pm

More TED Talks like this one, please!

Reply
David A

November 21, 2020 at 7:37 pm

Its been awhile since I heard something on this channel that was good, enjoyable, and didn’t seem to push so e agenda. Thanks, and that was just a well put presentation with great delivery.

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jayknight139

November 22, 2020 at 11:14 pm

Ok so go find snakes and get bitten by them, got it thanks.

Reply
kd e

November 23, 2020 at 7:44 pm

very informative video, one of the few ted talks which I took notes on!

Reply
The Great Hesam

November 24, 2020 at 9:00 pm

a painkiller without addiction? i would kill for that,dude.. that could be a life saver for addicts like me, quiting without going through withdrawal

Reply
Tomasz

November 25, 2020 at 2:24 pm

I love this video!

Reply
D Suaz

November 25, 2020 at 4:18 pm

What an amazing person!

Reply
B Ntagkas

November 26, 2020 at 2:23 am

literal vampire teeth

Reply

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CYBER TECH TV

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