Conotoxins from the predatory cone snail work even at very low levels to block nerve signals. Now, researchers in Germany have investigated the structures of one specific conotoxin with a view to developing the compound, or its derivatives, as a new type of painkiller. Despite being snail-derived, I assume they’d offer fast-acting relief nevertheless. More [...] Toxic snails and novel pa
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Neurotoxins from cone snails and spiders help neurobiologists to investigate the function of ion channels in neurons. They have developed a system which for the first time allows the targeted, long-lasting investigation of ion chann... Read Post
Turns out that marine cone snails may do more than just sting fish and reel them in for the kill with their powerful conotoxin - the same toxic can mitigate pain in humans, or paralyze your enemies for a hilarious comeuppance. Read Post
Hidden in the mud, the cone snail Conus purpurascens lies in wait for its victims. It attracts its prey, fish, with its proboscis, which can move like a worm, protruding from the mud. Once a fish approaches out of curiosity, the sna... Read Post