Associate Professor Volker Herzig was an ARC Future Fellow (2020-2024). His lab is focussed on the biodiscovery of novel arthropod venom components, particularly peptides, for potential applications in basic science, medicine and agriculture. Associate Professor Herzig has compiled the world's largest arthropod venom biobank (currently comprising about 640 spider and 230 scorpion venoms) that is already used in a variety of collaborative projects spanning the following areas:
- Toxins as bioinsecticides or antiparasitic agents
- Toxins as therapeutics
- Toxins as tools
The main focus of his lab are bioinsecticides. The agricultural sector is plagued by many pests and parasites causing significant economic damage. Fortunately, some arthropod toxins are selective and potent modulators of ion channels and receptors in the insect nervous system, which aids in overcoming prey or fending off predators. By studying the interaction of arthropod toxins with their molecular targets, Associate Professor Herzig is hoping to discover novel and environmentally safe bioinsecticides and antiparasitic agents.
A future area of research that he will embark on at UniSC is to investigate how venom toxins modulate learning and memory in insects. This might not only lead to novel tools for controlling insect pests and parasites, but it could even provide a more general understanding of the molecular processes underlying learning and memory.
Professional Memberships
International Society on Toxinology (IST), Deutsche Arachnologische Gesellschaft (DeArGe)
Awards
2019: ARC Future Fellowship
Associate Professor Volker Herzig was an ARC Future Fellow (2020-2024). His lab is focussed on the biodiscovery of novel arthropod venom components, particularly peptides, for potential applications in basic science, medicine and agriculture. Associate Professor Herzig has compiled the world's largest arachnid venoms collection (currently comprising 550 spider and 150 scorpion venoms).
Current research grants
| Project name | Investigator |
Funding Body & A$ amount |
Years | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRDC Proof of concept study |
A/Prof. Volker Herzig; Prof. Scott Cummins |
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
|
2025-2026 | Project title "Using arachnid venom peptides for snail biocontrol" |
| Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships |
Dr Shaodong Guo (Fellow) A/Prof Volker Herzig |
Advance Queensland A$240,000 |
2025-2027 | Project title: "Eco-friendly insecticides from spider venoms for locust pest control" |
| ARC Future Fellowship | A/Prof Volker Herzig |
Australian Research Council A$755,000 |
2020-2024 | Project title: “Be(e) friendly venomous spiders! Novel biopesticides from arachnid venoms” |
Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students
- Engineering spider toxins for insect pest control
- Orally-active arachnid toxins against pest caterpillars
- Interactions of toxins with arthropod learning and memory
Research areas
- Arthropod venoms
- Peptide toxins
- Ion channels
- Pharmacology
- Toxinology
- Molecular biology
- Parasitology
- Bioinsecticides
Teaching areas
Associate Professor Volker Herzig's specialist areas of knowledge are biodiscovery of novel arthropod venom components, particularly peptides, for potential applications in basic science, medicine and agriculture. The main focus of his lab are bioinsecticides.