A robotic system which can extract scorpion venom using an electric charge has been patented by developers at the Hassan II University, Casablanca.
The VES4 robot has been designed by the Moroccan team to eliminate the danger of extracting scorpion venom manually. The safe extraction of the poison could then be used to create new medicines which fight diseases such as malaria, as well as treatments for cancer.
Up to thirty-five scorpions can be placed inside the robot at one time. The system is then programmed to apply an electric charge causing each of them to release one drop of venom. Omar Tannan, a member of the team stressed that the small charge does not do the scorpions any harm.
The venom drops are collected in a glass tube.”The antenna and vibratory system operating the robot facilitates the recovery of venom beads collected in the pipes, ensuring a totally automated process,” explained Tannan.
According to the researchers, the robot not only makes the extraction process safer, but it will also make the process more efficient. Extracting one gallon of venom using the traditional method would normally need about 2.64 million scorpions.
Anass Kettani, the dissertation supervisor, added: “Promoting this innovation will allow transferring research results to the production sector, opening doors for funding opportunities.”
The patented robot can now be manufactured but will need some improvement and investment to take it from lab to market, Kettani said. The team also expect that the robot will require adjustments at production stage.
Furthermore, users will also need to master the process of placing scorpions inside the robot and the team want operators with an understanding of scorpions. The researchers added other than that the process is entirely automated, with the robot able to adjust the amount of electric charge needed, without affecting the scorpion or leading to its death.
