Do the endotoxin binding domains of Factor C cooperate in endotoxin binding?

An extract of Horseshoe Crab blood is widely used by the pharmaceutical industry to ensure sterility of medical
equipment and even drugs that are injected in humans. However, the basic mechanism underlying this powerful
test has not been fully investigated. The project aims to understand how a protein from the Horseshoe Crab
blood recognises bacteria. The results might help to design synthetic agents that recognise and neutralise
bacterial contaminants inside a human body that could improve the detection and treatment of conditions such as
toxic shock and Lyme’s disease.