By Heather Hobbs
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST NEWS & EVENTS FROM THE SCIENCE INDUSTRY New Source of World’s Deadliest Toxin Discovered
Clostridium botulinum, a dangerous pathogen when ingested, is also used in a range of medical procedures, as well as for cosmetic purposes. The discovery of this new type of botulinum neurotoxin, therefore holds potential for development opportunities.
Dr Andrew Carter Dr Jason Brunt
Quadram Institute scientists have identified genes encoding a previously undiscovered version of the botulinum neurotoxin in bacteria from a cow’s gut.
This is the first time that an intact cluster of genes for making botulinum neurotoxin have been found outside of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum or its close relatives and only the second report of a new botulinum toxin in the past 40 years.
Dr Jason Brunt and Dr Andrew Carter, working with Professor Mike Peck and Dr Sandra Stringer, screened the National Centre for Biotechnology Information’s Whole Genome Sequence database, for other entries that were similar to the predicted proteins that the botulinum toxin gene would produce. This search identified a previously undiscovered gene cluster encoding a new botulinum neurotoxin and accessory proteins in the genome of a species of Enterococcus bacteria that had been isolated from cow faeces from stock in the USA.
“Once expressed as a protein, this new neurotoxin may possess novel properties, such as immunomodulatory properties making it useful for a very wide range of medical problems. It may also have properties that make it an ideal candidate for use as an alternative to existing botulinum neurotoxins such as Botox,®
” said Dr Jason Brunt.
“It is an intriguing question as to how this Enterococcus strain acquired a botulinum neurotoxin gene cluster, what benefit it brings to this bacterium and further work is required to explore the implications of our important finding with regard to the possibility of its transfer between bacteria.
“Further work is also required to characterise this novel toxin, but initial indications are that this may be a highly significant discovery. We will now determine the potency of this new botulinum toxin and how it may be used as a therapeutic agent,” said Dr Andrew Carter.
The study was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Reference: Identification of a novel botulinum neurotoxin gene cluster in Enterococcus, Jason Brunt, Andrew T. Carter, Sandra C. Stringer, Michael W. Peck FEBS Letters (2018)
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HPLC 2018
The 47th International Symposium and Exhibit on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques: 29th July 29 - 2nd August
technical workshops, best poster competition and a major exposition showcasing new product launches and innovative products? Mark your calendar to attend HPLC 2018 Washington, DC, the largest, widely recognised international conference in the world devoted to advances in separation technologies!
Join us for a dynamic and innovative program packed with papers on column and stationary phase technology, interface to mass spectrometry, microfluidic systems, capillary electrophoresis, LCxLC, QA&QC methods, QbD in separations and application to real world problems. A special emphasis in applications will be on bioanalysis including: pharmaceuticals, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody characterisation, continuous flow manufacturing, biotechnology, proteins and proteomics, glycomics, metabolomics and lipidomics, food and nutrition, well-characterised biologicals, biofuels, environment, toxicology and more!
PLENARY SPEAKERS • Alberto Cavazzini, Professor, University of Ferrara
• Stacey Ma, Vice President, Head of IMP Quality, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
• Koji Otsuka, Professor and Department Chair, Kyoto University
Professor Norman Dovichi, HPLC2018 Chairman
Leading the way to ensure the Separation Sciences remain a powerful analytical tool, HPLC 2018 will be held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Are you interested in mass spectrometry, chromatography, or electrophoresis? Are you solving complex analytical problems? Are you looking for a conference with strong scientific content, a robust program, presentations by world renowned experts, lectures by young scientists, courses offering great training opportunities, tutorials, panel discussions, vendor
• Richard D. Smith, Battelle Fellow and Chief Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Mary J. Wirth, W. Brooks Fortune Distinguished Professor, Purdue University
This list of Confirmed Keynote and Invited Speakers continues to grow! Experts will present on a wide range of topics related to all aspects of liquid-phase separation science and analysis, including mass spectrometry, chromatography and electrophoresis.
- Great Training Opportunities through Practical Short Courses
- Two-dimensional Liquid Chromatography: Principles, Instrumentation, Method Development and Applications.
- Chromatography in the Analysis and Characterisation of Protein Therapeutic Drugs.
- LC-MS and LC-MS/MS of Small Molecules. - HPLC/UHPLC Method Development.
- Contributions of LC and LC/MS to Characterize Protein Glycosylation.
- Introduction to Capillary Liquid Chromatography. - HPLC Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
- The Essential Roles of Separation Science in Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics for Biomarker Discovery in Clinical Research.
- Cannabis Analysis.
Free Tutorials will be presented by experts who will give 45-60 minute presentations on topics with more background than might be found in a typical 20 minute talk.
A Major Exhibition will be showcasing the industry’s latest and greatest in instrumentation, software, tools, accessories and consumables covering all areas of liquid-phase separation science and related techniques. This major exhibition offers opportunities to view new product launches, to check out innovative products, to explore ground-breaking technologies, and to discuss challenges and solutions with experts in the booths.
KEY DATES & DEADLINES 21st February 2018 - deadline for oral abstract submissions 31st March 2018 - early-bird registration at the lowest fees 20th April 2018 - preliminary program posted online
30th April 2018 - deadline to submit poster abstracts in competition for poster awards
31st May 2018 - deadline to submit poster abstracts for inclusion in the final printed program Learn more at
HPLC2018.org
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