Welcome to the Binz working group!
Our research group deals with botulinum neurotoxins. These are bacterial toxins that block the release of neurotransmitters from cholinergic nerves by proteolytic cleavage of SNARE proteins. For over 25 years, they have been successfully used as therapeutic agents for diseases in which the inhibition of cholinergic function is desired. In the working group, we are investigating the mechanism of action. One project is dedicated to the targeted generation of mutants that can cleave SNAREs, which are involved in the exocytosis of certain non-neuronal cells. The aim is to develop botulinum toxin mutants that are suitable for treating individual inflammatory diseases, for example.