
Overview
Background
I am an NHMRC Leadership Fellow with joint apointments at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and School of Pharmacy, UQ. My research interests lie in the fields of peripheral pain mechanisms, target identification and analgesic drug discovery. I investigate the contribution of ion channels to sensory neuronal physiology using highly subtype-selective toxins isolated from venomous animals with the aim to develop novel analgesics with improved efficacy and tolerability.
Availability
- Professor Irina Vetter is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Understanding pain pathways
Pain is a major medical and socio-economic issue affecting one in five Australians. Our research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms behind pain. The current focus of the lab is to use toxins from plants and venomous animals to understand the molecular pharmacology of pain. These toxins are highly selective for ion channels and receptors found in the sensory neurons that detect pain and can potentially be developed into novel analgesics. Our research also investigates the mechanisms contributing to chemotherapy-induced pain, cancer-associated pain, inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and the painful marine toxin disease known as ciguatera. To investigate the neuropharmacology of pain we use a range of techniques including: in vivo pain pathway characterisation, high-content imaging of cultured sensory neurons, high-throughput screening using calcium and membrane potential assays, and traditional pharmacological assays. While all pain has similar symptoms, it is becoming clear that the underlying mechanisms behind pain can vary. Our research has already challenged traditional understanding of pain pathways and sensory neuronal physiology. We work in collaboration with other leading Australian and international researchers to identify novel therapeutic pain pathways and targets. By uncovering these new pain pathways, as well as identifying novel targets on peripheral sensory neurons, we aim to develop more effective pain therapies that treat the underlying cause of the pain, not just the symptoms.
Works
Search Professor Irina Vetter’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
A new selective pharmacological enhancer of the Orai1 Ca2+ channel reveals roles for Orai1 in smooth and skeletal muscle functions
Azimi, Iman, Stevenson, Ralph J., Zhang, Xuexin, Meizoso-Huesca, Aldo, Xin, Ping, Johnson, Martin, Flanagan, Jack U., Chalmers, Silke B., Yoast, Ryan E., Kapure, Jeevak S., Ross, Benjamin P., Vetter, Irina, Ashton, Mark R., Launikonis, Bradley S., Denny, William A., Trebak, Mohamed and Monteith, Gregory R. (2020). A new selective pharmacological enhancer of the Orai1 Ca2+ channel reveals roles for Orai1 in smooth and skeletal muscle functions. ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science, 3 (1) acsptsci.9b00081, 135-147. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00081
2020
Journal Article
Mutational analysis of ProTx-I and the novel venom peptide Pe1b provide insight into residues responsible for selective inhibition of the analgesic drug target NaV1.7
Rupasinghe, Darshani B., Herzig, Volker, Vetter, Irina, Dekan, Zoltan, Gilchrist, John, Bosmans, Frank, Alewood, Paul F., Lewis, Richard J. and King, Glenn F. (2020). Mutational analysis of ProTx-I and the novel venom peptide Pe1b provide insight into residues responsible for selective inhibition of the analgesic drug target NaV1.7. Biochemical Pharmacology, 181 114080, 114080. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114080
2020
Conference Publication
Convergent evolution of defensive venom components in spitting cobras
Kazandjian, Taline, Petras, Daniel, Robinson, Sam, Undheim, Eivind, Arbuckle, Kevin, Whiteley, Gareth, Albulescu, Laura-Oana, Ainsworth, Stuart, Wagstaff, Simon, Wuster, Wolfgang, Harrison, Robert, Vetter, Irina, Calvete, Juan and Casewell, Nicholas (2020). Convergent evolution of defensive venom components in spitting cobras. 20th World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 8-13 September 2019. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.12.059
2020
Book Chapter
High-throughput fluorescence assays for ion channels and GPCRs
Vetter, Irina, Carter, David, Bassett, John, Deuis, Jennifer R., Tay, Bryan, Jami, Sina and Robinson, Samuel D. (2020). High-throughput fluorescence assays for ion channels and GPCRs. Calcium Signaling. (pp. 27-72) edited by Md. Shahidul Islam. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-12457-1_3
2020
Conference Publication
Discovery and characterisation of novel peptides from Amazonian stinging ant venoms with antiparasitic activity
Nixon, Samantha, Agwa, Akello, Robinson, Sam, Walker, Andrew, Touchard, Axel, Schroeder, Christina, Vetter, Irina, Kotze, Andrew C., Herzig, Volker and King, Glenn F. (2020). Discovery and characterisation of novel peptides from Amazonian stinging ant venoms with antiparasitic activity. 20th World Congress of the International-Society-on-Toxinology, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 8-13 September 2019. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2020
Journal Article
Animal toxins — Nature's evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery
Herzig, Volker, Cristofori-Armstrong, Ben, Israel, Mathilde R., Nixon, Samantha A., Vetter, Irina and King, Glenn F. (2020). Animal toxins — Nature's evolutionary-refined toolkit for basic research and drug discovery. Biochemical Pharmacology, 181 114096, 114096. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114096
2019
Journal Article
Enzymatic ligation of a pore blocker toxin and gating modifier toxin; creating double-knotted peptides with improved sodium channel NaV1.7 inhibition
Tran, Hue, Tran, Poanna, Deuis, Jennifer R., Agwa, Akello Joanna, Zhang, Alan H., Vetter, Irina and Schroeder, Christina I (2019). Enzymatic ligation of a pore blocker toxin and gating modifier toxin; creating double-knotted peptides with improved sodium channel NaV1.7 inhibition. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 31 (1) acs.bioconjchem.9b00744, 64-73. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00744
2019
Journal Article
Transcriptomic characterisation of the optimised rat model of Walker 256 breast cancer cell-induced bone pain
Shenoy, Priyank A., Kuo, Andy, Leparc, German, Hildebrandt, Tobias, Rust, Werner, Nicholson, Janet R., Corradini, Laura, Vetter, Irina and Smith, Maree T. (2019). Transcriptomic characterisation of the optimised rat model of Walker 256 breast cancer cell-induced bone pain. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 46 (12) 1440-1681.13165, 1201-1215. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.13165
2019
Journal Article
Missiles of mass disruption: Composition and glandular origin of venom used as a projectile defensive weapon by the assassin bug Platymeris rhadamanthus
Walker, Andrew A., Robinson, Samuel D., Undheim, Eivind A. B., Jin, Jiayi, Han, Xiao, Fry, Bryan G., Vetter, Irina and King, Glenn F. (2019). Missiles of mass disruption: Composition and glandular origin of venom used as a projectile defensive weapon by the assassin bug Platymeris rhadamanthus. Toxins, 11 (11) 673, 673. doi: 10.3390/toxins11110673
2019
Conference Publication
Efficacy Of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Subtype Selective Compounds In A Novel Zebrafish Model For Dravet Syndrome
Weuring, W. J., Singh, S., Volkers, L., Rook, M., van't Slot, R. H., Inserra, M., Vetter, I., Verhoeven-Duif, N. M., Braun, K. P. J., Rivara, M. and Koeleman, B. P. C. (2019). Efficacy Of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Subtype Selective Compounds In A Novel Zebrafish Model For Dravet Syndrome. 33rd International Epilepsy Congress, Bangkok Thailand, Jun 22-26, 2019. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
2019
Journal Article
Antiallodynic effects of the selective NaV1.7 inhibitor Pn3a in a mouse model of acute postsurgical pain: evidence for analgesic synergy with opioids and baclofen
Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Morgan, Michael, Dekan, Zoltan, Cheneval, Olivier, Schroeder, Christina I., Alewood, Paul F., Deuis, Jennifer R. and Vetter, Irina (2019). Antiallodynic effects of the selective NaV1.7 inhibitor Pn3a in a mouse model of acute postsurgical pain: evidence for analgesic synergy with opioids and baclofen. Pain, 160 (8), 1766-1780. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001567
2019
Journal Article
Minocycline prevents the development of mechanical allodynia in mouse models of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy
Starobova, H., Mueller, A., Allavena, R., Lohman, R. J., Sweet, M. J. and Vetter, I. (2019). Minocycline prevents the development of mechanical allodynia in mouse models of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13 (JUN) 653, 653. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00653
2019
Journal Article
Inflammatory and neuropathic gene expression signatures of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy induced by vincristine, cisplatin and oxaliplatin in C57BL/6J mice
Starobova, Hana, Mueller, Alexander, Deuis, Jennifer R., Carter, David A. and Vetter, Irina (2019). Inflammatory and neuropathic gene expression signatures of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy induced by vincristine, cisplatin and oxaliplatin in C57BL/6J mice. The Journal of Pain, 21 (1-2), 182-194. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.06.008
2019
Journal Article
NaV1.6 regulates excitability of mechanosensitive sensory neurons
Israel, Mathilde R., Tanaka, Brian S., Castro, Joel, Thongyoo, Panumart, Robinson, Samuel D., Zhao, Peng, Deuis, Jennifer R., Craik, David J., Durek, Thomas, Brierley, Stuart M., Waxman, Stephen G, Dib-Hajj, Sulayman D. and Vetter, Irina (2019). NaV1.6 regulates excitability of mechanosensitive sensory neurons. Journal of Physiology, 597 (14), 3751-3768. doi: 10.1113/JP278148
2019
Journal Article
Novel conorfamides from Conus austini venom modulate both nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and acid-sensing ion channels
Jin, Ai-hua, Cristofori-Armstrong, Ben, Rash, Lachlan D., Román González, Sergio Agustín, Espinosa, Roberto Arreguín, Lewis, Richard J., Alewood, Paul F. and Vetter, Irina (2019). Novel conorfamides from Conus austini venom modulate both nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and acid-sensing ion channels. Biochemical Pharmacology, 164, 342-348. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.025
2019
Journal Article
Development of an N-acyl amino acid that selectively inhibits the glycine transporter 2 to produce analgesia in a rat model of chronic pain
Mostyn, Shannon N., Rawling, Tristan, Mohammadi, Sarasa, Shimmon, Susan, Frangos, Zachary J., Sarker, Subhodeep, Yousuf, Arsalan, Vetter, Irina, Ryan, Renae M., Christie, Macdonald J. and Vandenberg, Robert J. (2019). Development of an N-acyl amino acid that selectively inhibits the glycine transporter 2 to produce analgesia in a rat model of chronic pain. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 62 (5), 2466-2484. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01775
2019
Journal Article
Development of a high-throughput fluorescent no-wash sodium influx assay
Tay, Bryan, Stewart, Teneale A., Davis, Felicity M., Deuis, Jennifer R. and Vetter, Irina (2019). Development of a high-throughput fluorescent no-wash sodium influx assay. PLOS One, 14 (3) e0213751, e0213751. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213751
2019
Journal Article
A centipede toxin family defines an ancient class of CSαβ defensins
Dash, Thomas S., Shafee, Thomas, Harvey, Peta J., Zhang, Chuchu, Peigneur, Steve, Deuis, Jennifer R., Vetter, Irina, Tytgat, Jan, Anderson, Marilyn A., Craik, David J., Durek, Thomas and Undheim, Eivind A. B. (2019). A centipede toxin family defines an ancient class of CSαβ defensins. Structure, 27 (2), 315-326. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2018.10.022
2019
Conference Publication
New insights in ω-conotoxin analgesic efficacy in postsurgical pain and oxaliplatin/cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy
Hasan, Mahadhi, Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Vetter, Irina, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richard J. (2019). New insights in ω-conotoxin analgesic efficacy in postsurgical pain and oxaliplatin/cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 November 2019.
2018
Journal Article
Buzz kill: Function and proteomic composition of venom from the Giant Assassin Fly Dolopus genitalis (Diptera: Asilidae)
Walker, Andrew, Dobson, James, Jin, Jiayi, Robinson, Samuel, Herzig, Volker, Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn and Fry, Bryan (2018). Buzz kill: Function and proteomic composition of venom from the Giant Assassin Fly Dolopus genitalis (Diptera: Asilidae). Toxins, 10 (11) 456, 456. doi: 10.3390/toxins10110456
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Irina Vetter is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating ion channel function and pathology using toxins as tools
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Dr Angelo Keramidas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Structure and function of ion channels in pain pathways: a toxin perspective
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing long-term side-effects of chemotherapy in cancer survivors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ingrid Winkler, Dr Hana Starobova
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Master Philosophy
Using peptide toxins to understand the nociceptor signallosome
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
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Master Philosophy
Neuro-immune mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy: a novel target offering new prevention and treatment strategies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of bivalency in disulfide-rich peptides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding pain mechanisms in the path towards target-specific analgesic agent design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ingrid Winkler, Dr Hana Starobova
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Models of Cancer Therapy-Induced Late Effects
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova
-
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterisation of multi-valent peptides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the function of sodium channel accessory proteins to develop new treatments for chronic pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Professor Mehdi Mobli
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Doctor Philosophy
New Toxin Tools for Dissecting Pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek, Dr Sam Robinson
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Doctor Philosophy
Accessing structurally elusive states of sodium channels as novel analgesic targets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek, Professor Mehdi Mobli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterisation of new pain-causing toxins from animal venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Dr Sam Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Probing ion channel function using venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angelo Keramidas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterisation of new pain-causing toxins from animal venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Dr Sam Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Chemotherapy-induced motor neuropathy: towards improved understanding of motor neuron dysfunction during chemotherapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hana Starobova
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Doctor Philosophy
Using toxins as tools to understand sodium channel structure and function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evolutionary shifts in venom function and chemistry within Bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Walker, Dr Sam Robinson
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of novel family of voltage-gated sodium channel toxins from ant venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sam Robinson
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Doctor Philosophy
Using genomics to predict the mechanism-of-action of a chemical entity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Shah
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Development of peptides as gating modifiers to inhibit the voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.7
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Probing the mechanisms underlying physiological and pathological neuronal excitability
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Novel heterodimeric ion channel modulators derived from conotoxins and spider toxins
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Investigating the role of the novel GABAA receptor variant, ß2(L51M), in the pathophysiology of epilepsy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angelo Keramidas
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a high-throughput pipeline for the discovery of NaV1.9 modulators from animal venoms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vincristine induced peripheral neuropathy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Schroder
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Engineering an optimized analgesic from the NaV1.7 selective spider venom peptide Pn3a
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jennifer Deuis, Professor Mehdi Mobli
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the role of NaV1.6 in peripheral sensory neurons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Identification of pain genes contributing to ciguatoxin-induced pain using haplotype-based computational genetic mapping in mice
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Establishment, optimization and characterization of a rat model of breast cancer induced bone pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Maree Smith, Dr Andy Kuo
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A Pharmacological and Transcriptomic approach to exploring Novel Pain Targets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Cabot, Dr Fernanda Cardoso
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of venom-derived peptides that target acid-sensing ion channels
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli, Dr Lachlan Rash
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution and Diversification of the Anguimorphan Lizard Venom System
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Structural basis of the function of peptide inhibitors targeting voltage-gated sodium channel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mehdi Mobli
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Solving painful problems: Developing potent and selective NaV channel inhibitors from animal venom
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Craik
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising venom variation and antivenom effectiveness within the "True" vipers (Viperinae: Viperidae)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Australian snake venoms on coagulation: Differential potency, biochemistry, and antivenom efficacy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Using toxins to elucidate the role of voltage-gated sodium channels in pain
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Cabot
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Novelty in three-finger toxin evolution
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
A Blood Bond: Evolutionary, Pathophysiological and Biodiscovery implications of coagulotoxic snake venoms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution of the venom system in aculeate hymenoptera
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Fry
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A philosophical and empirical investigation of the evolution of the toxicoferan reptile venom system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Glenn King, Professor Bryan Fry
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and Characterisation of Novel Analgesic Neurotoxins, hCav2.2 Channel inhibitors, from Cone Snail and Spider Venoms
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Discovery and characterization of NaV modulatory venom peptides
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lachlan Rash
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacological characterisation of alpha-conopeptides with therapeutic potential
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Irina Vetter directly for media enquiries about:
- analgesics
- cancer
- cancer pain
- chemotherapy pain
- chronic pain
- ciguatera
- diabetes
- drug development
- drug discovery
- ion channels
- irritable bowel syndrome
- neuropathic pain
- neuropathy
- neuropharmacology
- toxins
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