How botulinum toxins enter nerve cells
Resolving the intoxication mechanism of botulinum neurotoxins using single molecule structural biology
This work looks at how botulinum toxins change shape and cross cell membranes so toxin-based treatments can become safer and more precise for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists will watch individual botulinum toxin molecules with advanced single-molecule structural tools to see how they attach to and pass through nerve cell membranes. They will compare different toxin types (like A and E) to learn why some act faster or wear off sooner. The team will focus on the structural changes that trigger membrane insertion and how many toxin molecules are needed to deliver the toxic cargo. These lab experiments may use purified proteins and model membranes and could inform future clinical formulations or dosing strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who currently receive botulinum toxin treatments for conditions such as muscle spasticity, dystonia, chronic migraine, or cosmetic indications, as well as healthy volunteers willing to donate samples, would be the most relevant participants or future trial candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with health issues unrelated to botulinum toxin therapies or those needing immediate clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design botulinum-based therapies that act more predictably, start faster, or have shorter and safer effects.
How similar studies have performed: Previous structural studies have defined inactive toxin shapes but captured active membrane-delivery states much less often, and applying single-molecule structural methods to these delivery steps is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bowen, Mark E — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Bowen, Mark E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.