Discovery Thrives on Surprise

If you were to ask a Gila monster, where are discoveries made?
The probable reply: “Great discoveries start with serendipity!”

Venom to Medicine: Gila Monsters & Modern Drugs

Scientists studying animal venoms once asked a simple question: Which venoms have molecules that affect the pancreas? [1] In the Gila monster’s venom, they found a peptide that acts like human GLP‑1, a hormone that helps our body release insulin and control metabolism.

There was a surprise: the Gila monster’s version lasts much longer in the body than our own. That insight launched an entire class of long‑acting GLP‑1 medicines. Almost 40 years of research and development eventually led to widely used treatments for type 2 diabetes (like Ozempic). In other words, a little curiosity plus a desert lizard helped transform modern medicine. [2]

Yogurt to Genome Editing: CRISPR’s Unlikely Origin

Cas9 diagram — Illustration of Cas9 cutting DNA at a targeted location. [8]

Another big leap began in a dairy lab. Researchers wondered how yogurt making bacteria fend off viral attacks. They discovered that bacteria keep genetic records of past viruses so they can recognize and cut them up if they return.

That defensive trick was recognized for its potential as a powerful, programmable gene editing tool. CRISPR Cas9 is now used across medicine, from studying diseases to developing new therapies. [3]

What is serendipity?

“The phenomenon of making an unplanned, fortunate discovery through a combination of unexpected circumstances and insightful recognition.” [6]

Fruit Flies to Cancer Clues: When Growing Goes Wrong

Fruit fly photo — The mighty fruit fly is helping fight cancer. [9]

An example of small but mighty comes in cancer research. How does an organ know when it’s the right size? Scientists uncovered a growth control system using fruit flies (Drosophila) which tells cells when to stop dividing. [4]

When this network of genes is broken cells will grow out of control. This network is frequently broken in pancreatic cancer. Discovering this pathway is helping researchers design new strategies to save cancer patients. [5]

Follow the Gila Monster

Breakthroughs don’t always come from places you expect. By following curiosity, open to the unexpected and insight, we unlock ideas that can change lives.

The Jaszczak lab invites you to embrace serendipity as we study the mechanisms of sensory biology. How do cells and organisms detect and respond to the world? We’re excited to for this journey, because today’s curiosity can become tomorrow’s cures.