Innovative techniques for harmful algal toxin analysis

The global increase in frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HAB s) has led to more frequent incidence of seafood-borne illnesses and advers e impacts on natural resources. In response, public health agencies worldwi de have mobilized to initiate HAB monitoring programs. To meet this demand, innovative analytical techniques are bring developed that provide rapid an d reliable detection of the causative organisms and the toxins produced. Mo difications to conventional chromatography and mass spectrometry have great ly improved sensitivity and selectivity of these methods toward naturally o ccurring phycotoxins. Bioassay techniques using live organisms are giving w ay to molecular and cellular methods that measure the toxicologically signi ficant activity of the toxin molecules. Molecular probes are being applied to distinguish species-specific RNA and DNA sequences for rapid identificat ion of HAB-causing organisms. The direction of this new technology is to de velop rapid and reliable screening methods for phycotoxins and the causativ e organisms to provide protection for public health, aquaculture, and natur al resources. New methods also are bring developed for detecting minute amo unts of toxin molecules in microenvironments, leading to understanding the toxicokinetics and toxicological functions of the toxins.