The University of Queensland might not have been very successful in their well publicised search for a Covid vaccine, but a team led by Professor Glenn King has certainly redeemed the institution with their spectacular investigation of the funnel-web venom (“Venom is a miracle cure”, Sunday Telegraph, 6/10). The long held view that the absence of oxygen alone caused cell death was challenged historically when clinically dead people started breathing hours later and fully recovered without cellular damage. The process of cell destruction is now known to be mediated by surface receptors on cells. The protein Hila, found in a funnel-web spider’s venom blocks this receptor, preventing cell death. The Albanese government deserves praise for supporting such spectacular academic research and must ensure that the bioscience company Infensa is not acquired by overseas interests when the valuable implications of this work is realised. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 13Oct2024