Nerve gasses have been a topic of research since they were first made in Nazi Germany, and they all target primarily one key enzyme that’s responsible for neurotransmission in the body, which is responsible for the ability to move and breath. When intoxicated by these nerve agents, a victim is sure to face death by suffocation. However, new research could lead to the development of an effective antidote and pre-treatment options which would prevent intoxication in the first place.

Dr. Zoran Radic is an expert in this field, and he’s carrying out research at UC San Diego using a new virtual reality tool by a company called Nanome. He explains the invaluable benefits afforded by the ability to interact with molecules in the virtual reality space—to see how they interact with the body, bind to their targets, and lead to the effects that he’s aiming to reverse or prevent. He also discusses more broadly the mechanism of toxicity in the body, why the search for effective antidotes has presented so many difficulties, and what’s likely on the horizon in this growing and important area of research. Interested in learning more about Dr. Radic’s work? Find more info by visiting https://profiles.ucsd.edu/zoran.radic.

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