<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2025/2025-05-genetic-blueprint-of-a-neurotoxin.aspx" dsn="blogs"><homehero>true</homehero><categories>Discovery Science</categories><broadcast>integrativebiology,mgi</broadcast><articlePreview/><pubDate>05/30/2025</pubDate><title>The genetic blueprint of a neurotoxin</title><subTitle/><description>A cross-disciplinary team of MSU researchers aims to identify the genes responsible for producing one of nature’s most powerful neurotoxins.</description><highlights/><author>Debbie Walton</author><hero-image><img src="/_assets/images/news/2025/2025-05-toxic-newts/2025-05-toxic-newts-row-of-tanks.jpg" alt="A row of tanks holds rough-skinned newts in the Eisthen Lab. "/></hero-image><image><img src="/_assets/images/news/2025/2025-05-toxic-newts/2025-05-toxic-newts-gloved-hand-380.jpg" alt="An adult rough-skinned newt rests in the gloved hand of doctoral student Sam Westcott. "/></image><tags><tag>microbiology</tag></tags></item>