Shiga and cholera toxins, caused by gastrointestinal pathogens, are responsible for millions of deaths annually. Once the toxins enter the circulatory system, they cause cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
Many patients eventually suffer severe kidney damage because there is no effective cure.
That is no small feat. Shiga and shiga-like toxins are armed with 15 binding sites in 3 groups of 5 that lock onto cell surfaces. The Starfish molecule designed by Dr. David Bundle's team mimics receptors on healthy cells that the toxins seek out, acting as a decoy to lure the toxins away from the body. And, because of its shape, the Starfish molecule can lock onto 2 toxin molecules simultaneously. The toxins are facing each other so they are totally prohibited from binding to another cell.