Deadly Snails help Neurobiologists!

Hello world,
In Germany, scientists are using the cone snail and some spiders to characterize ion channels in the brain of mice. They both produce a neurotoxin that bind to channels in the brain. These toxins don't affect just one at a time, which made it hard to study. They get around this by electrically stimulating the channels they want to look at. This research has already produced some results, the pain medication Ziconotide. Hopefully this means more powerful pain medication in the future, so that patients that have acclimated to their meds can find relief. The more variety in medications availiable the better, because pain medications can often cause hallucinations in patients.
Here's the link;
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100210101510.htm
Knights and away!