Dr Hang Fai Kwok is the author of DNA in Amphibian and Reptile Venom Permits Access to Genomes Without Specimen Sacrifice, which was recently published in Genomics Insights. In this interview Dr Kwok discusses his research, recently published articles and his views on open access publishing.

The Editor in Chief of Genomics Insights recently issued a call for papers.

What is the primary focus of your research?

Venom research for drug discovery.

What are the most exciting developments arising from current research in your area?

Developed a non-invasive manner that circumvents specimen sacrifice. From a single sample of amphibian skin secretion and reptile venom, robust and complementary proteome, transcriptome and genome data can be generated for applications in diverse scientific discipline.

Who are your main collaborators? Please describe your work with them.

Craig Ivanyi from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Arizona, USA. We worked together for the acqisition of venoms.

What do you think about the development of open access publishing?

It is very good and useful to having the open access publishing. The journal allows readers to freely access the latest advances in the field. It also allows free flow of scientific thought much more rapidly.

What articles and/or books have you published recently?

'A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus'