Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying a gene that regulates clostridial neurotoxin activity, the method comprising: a. providing a sample of human neuronal cells expressing a polypeptide that comprises a C-terminal detectable label, wherein the polypeptide is cleavable by a clostridial neurotoxin; b. altering expression of a target gene of the cells; c. contacting the cells with the clostridial neurotoxin; d. measuring an amount of C-terminal detectable label, thereby quantifying clostridial neurotoxin activity; and e. identifying the target gene as a regulator of clostridial neurotoxin activity when the quantified clostridial neurotoxin activity is different to the quantified clostridial neurotoxin activity when expression of the target gene is unaltered; or f.

Abstract: A method for determining cleavage of a VAMP by a clostridial neurotoxin in a cell that has been contacted with the clostridial neurotoxin under conditions suitable for clostridial neurotoxin activity, the method comprising contacting the cytoplasmic content of the cell with an antibody that binds to a resulting C-terminal product of such cleavage under suitable conditions in vitro or ex vivo and detecting the binding of the antibody to the C-terminal cleavage product. The antibody may, for example, be capable of binding an antigenic polypeptide consisting of 10 to 65 amino acid residues and comprising an epitope comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence of at least 8 amino acid residues that is immediately C-terminal to a clostridial neurotoxin cleavage site in the VAMP.

Abstract: A VAMP epitope suitable for generating an antibody against a VAMP C-terminal neurotoxin cleavage product. Method of using such an epitope to generate an antibody against cleaved VAMP. Method of using such an antibody to assay for cleavage of a VAMP by clostridial neurotoxin.

Abstract: A VAMP epitope suitable for generating an antibody against a VAMP C-terminal neurotoxin cleavage product. Method of using such an epitope to generate an antibody against cleaved VAMP. Method of using such an antibody to assay for cleavage of a VAMP by clostridial neurotoxin.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid sequence comprising a sequence of contiguous nucleotides, wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides has at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides encodes a single-chain BoNT/E1 protein. The present invention also provides methods for producing soluble single-chain BoNT/E1 protein in an E. coli host cell, together with methods for producing soluble di-chain BoNT/E1 protein.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid sequence comprising a sequence of contiguous nucleotides, wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides has at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides encodes a single-chain BoNT/E1 protein. The present invention also provides methods for producing soluble single-chain BoNT/E1 protein in an E. coli host cell, together with methods for producing soluble di-chain BoNT/E1 protein.

Abstract: Solar cells and methods for use and making these solar cells are disclosed. An exemplary solar cell includes a first electrode. The solar cell also includes a nanocrystal film of a single material disposed in contact with the first electrode. The solar cell also includes a second electrode disposed in contact with the nanocrystal film, not in contact with the first electrode.