Editing Botulinum toxin (section)

===World War II===
With the outbreak of World War II, weaponization of botulinum toxin was investigated at [[Fort Detrick]] in Maryland. Carl Lamanna and James Duff<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors = Lamanna C, McELROY OE, Eklund HW |title = The purification and crystallization of Clostridium botulinum type A toxin |journal = Science |volume = 103 |issue = 2681 |pages = 613–614 |date = May 1946 |pmid = 21026141 |doi = 10.1126/science.103.2681.613 |bibcode = 1946Sci...103..613L }}</ref> developed the concentration and crystallization techniques that Edward J. Schantz used to create the first clinical product. When the Army's [[Chemical Corps]] was disbanded, Schantz moved to the Food Research Institute in Wisconsin, where he manufactured toxin for experimental use and provided it to the academic community.

The mechanism of botulinum toxin action – blocking the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from nerve endings – was elucidated in the mid-20th century,<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors = Burgen AS, Dickens F, Zatman LJ |title = The action of botulinum toxin on the neuro-muscular junction |journal = The Journal of Physiology |volume = 109 |issue = 1–2 |pages = 10–24 |date = August 1949 |pmid = 15394302 |pmc = 1392572 |doi = 10.1113/jphysiol.1949.sp004364 }}</ref> and remains an important research topic. Nearly all toxin treatments are based on this effect in various body tissues.