New Scorpion Species Discovered in Turkey

Professor Serdar Karakurt, a faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry at Selcuk University's Faculty of Science, has introduced a small, toxic scorpion species to the scientific community, named after him.

During fieldwork in Turkey’s southeastern province of Şırnak, Professor Serdar Karakurt, alongside Professor Ersen Aydın Yağmur, identified a previously undocumented scorpion species. Their research confirmed that this small yet venomous species was a new addition to scientific literature.

Named Scorpio karakurdi, the species belongs to the Scorpio genus and is unique to the southeastern Anatolia region. Karakurt expressed his excitement about contributing to scientific knowledge. "This species is smaller in size compared to others, and in scorpions, reduced morphology often correlates with increased venom potency. Our laboratory analysis revealed a complex composition of different compounds in its venom," he explained.

Highlighting the potential medical applications of scorpion venom, Karakurt noted, "The venom contains distinct proteins capable of entering human cells and directly interacting with them. It influences protein channels like potassium channels, which play a crucial role in disease progression. By regulating these channels, scorpion venom can induce controlled cell death, making it a valuable subject for medical research."

Karakurt also discussed an ongoing project supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, which examines the effects of scorpion-derived proteins on human cancers. "We focused on colon, lung, and liver cancer. Our findings demonstrated that proteins from this species significantly contribute to colon cancer treatment," he said.

"Our research showed that it effectively inhibits metastatic colon cancer cells and prevents their spread within tissue. Moreover, we observed a 95% reduction in colon cancer cell viability," he added.