Scientists claim gastro breakthrough

Scientists from Adelaide University have made what they claim is a world breakthrough in understanding how bacterial toxins cause severe gastro diseases.

Professor James Paton, who heads the university's microbiology unit, says the research, which involved scientists from Monash University and the United States, resulted from the discovery of a potent toxin.

He says the breakthrough may also provide better treatments for age-related and degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

"It works by attacking one of the components of cells which is involved in packaging of proteins," he said.

"So by studying the effects of this toxin on normal cells we may well get insights into better treatments for things like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's."