The Clostridium botulinum bacterium (shown here in colonies) can cause foodborne illnesses and potentially deadly effects due to the neurotoxin it produces. Credit: CDC
Botulinum neurotoxin is probably best known to Americans as BOTOX rather than as a cause of potentially dangerous foodborne illnesses. Lesser known is that Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes the neurointoxication, produces one of the most potent toxins on earth and is classified as a potential bioterrorism threat. While no cure exists a serendipitous discovery by TSRI scientists may provide a new therapy that can stop the neurotoxin even in its more severe, advanced stages of action.
Kim Janda, the Ely R. Callaway, Jr...
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