Can we eventually cure diabetes? In the Discovery Dialogues podcast series, we uncover the hidden stories behind the science—from the discovery of insulin to the invention of continuous glucose monitors to the excitement behind the latest blockbuster medications. This podcast is for anyone curious about how science changes lives—from students and researchers to history buffs and lifelong learners. Subscribe to Discovery Dialogues for more untold stories of science and medicine. Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment with your thoughts.

This Episode 3: Insulin as a weapon - Deadly Venoms, Life-saving Medicines This episode of the Discovery Dialogues Podcast, hosted by Ani Deshpande and Pam Itkin-Ansari, explores the astonishing world of animal venoms and their unexpected role in developing groundbreaking medical treatments. The episode begins with the tragic and intriguing story of a young man, Charles Garbut, who died after being stung by a cone snail at the Great Barrier Reef. The discussion then dives into the fascinating biology of cone snails, their deadly venoms, and the groundbreaking discovery of insulin within their toxins by Dr. Helena Safavi. The hosts explore how this discovery could revolutionize diabetes treatment by leading to faster-acting insulins. The episode also covers historical and contemporary examples of venom-derived medications, like Captopril, derived from Brazilian pit viper venom, and Integrilin, inspired by rattlesnake venom. The episode ends on an uplifting note with the story of Lelia Bullion, a young girl with Type 1 diabetes, and her life-saving relationship with her diabetic alert dog, Gizmo. Through these stories, the episode highlights the potential of animal venoms in modern medicine and their profound impact on diseases like diabetes.

This is a video about Episode 3 If this resonated, please like, subscribe, and share with your friends. If you are a fan of science stories told in an entertaining manner, or of podcasts and shows such as RadioLab, Hidden Brain, Ologies, Veritasium or Night Science, you might just like this series! #diabetesawareness #diabetes #insulin #venom #podcast #kiwanis #bloodsugarlevels #bloodsugar #medicalhistory #diabetestreatment #insulindiabetes #type1diabetes #hypoglycemia #type2diabetes #type2diabetestreatment #radiolab #veritasium #hiddenbrain #kurzgesagt #ted