​Taking advantage of our research concerning the neuromuscular junction and the elucidation of the mode of action of neurotoxins, namely anatoxin-a and cyclic imine toxins, we have developed a series of detection kits for paralyzing neurotoxins, based on their mode of action as agonists and competitive antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (Araoz et al., 2020)(WO2012/10378 A1, WO2017108115 A1).

• The microplate-receptor binding assay is a target-directed high throughput method for rapid detection of the cyanobacterial freshwater anatoxin-a and of the marine pinnatoxins, spirolides and gymnodimines in environmental samples and shellfish extracts with minimal sample handling, reduced toxin cross-reactivity and matrix effect. It compares to mass spectrometry-based methods in terms of limit of detection and it is commercialized by Abraxis-Eurofins.
• The NeuroTorp Lateral Flow Test is a receptor-binding assay, based on the high affinity of cyclic imine toxins for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors which is immobilized on the test-line of the lateral flow strips. This approach is very useful for field detection of shellfish contaminated with neurotoxins.