Scientists trawl for antidote to fatal jelly sting

Irish researchers have begun work on developing an antidote for the potentially deadly lion’s mane jellyfish sting.

One of the world’s leading jellyfish venom experts, Angel Yanagihara from the University of Hawaii, spent the weekend with University College Cork marine biologist Tom Doyle, collecting venom capsules and tentacles from lion’s mane jellyfish on the Louth, Meath, and Dublin coasts.

Prof Yanagihara, who in 2011 developed an antidote for the potentially lethal box jellyfish sting, will now work with Dr Doyle on the study and characterisation of the lion’s mane venom.