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Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Sensor Systems for Biological Threats: The Algal Toxins Case, Pisa, Italy, 30 September-11 October 2007
The first part deals with a general overview of the toxins and toxicity related to the algal world. The first part includes an introduction on the main algal features written by our group; then, the diversity of the cyanobacteria, the algal division that possesses more toxic species, in relation to the environment is described; an overview on the fresh water and marine algal toxins follows; and the allelopathy phenomenon, i.e. any influence on the growth and development of natural systems produced by the algae metabolites is described. The first part ends with the description of toxic algal blooms in several European geographical areas.
The second part deals with the review of sensor organisms, the use of biochemical methods and laser Doppler techniques for toxin determination; the use of nucleic acid sensor sensors for identification of toxic species; the use of immunological ELISA analyses combined with various electrochemical detection systems to quantify algal toxins; a review on sensors based on electrochemical methods, and a gene-engineered yeast usable as biochemical instrument for toxin assessment.
Preface.- The World of Algae; L. Barsanti et al.- Cyanobacterial Diversity in Relation to the Environment; B.A. Whitton.- Toxicity of Fresh Water Algal Toxins to Humans and Animals; A. Zaccaroni, D. Scaravelli.- Toxicity of Sea Algal Toxins to Humans and Animals; Z. Zaccaroni, D. Scaravelli.- The Role of Allelopathy for Harmful Algae Bloom Formation; E. Graneli, G.O. Fistarol.- Checklist of Phytoplankton on the South Coast of Murcia (SE Spain, SW Mediterannean Sea); N. Bouza, M. Aboal.- Toxic Pseudo-nitzschia Populations from the Middle Thyrrhenian Sea (Mediterannean Sea, Italy); R. Congestri et al.- Algal Blooms in Estonian Small Lakes; A. Rakko et al.- Comparative Estimation of Sensor Organisms Sensitivity for Determination of Water Toxicity; P. Gualtieri, T. Parshykova.- Biochemical Method for Quantitative Estimation of Cyanobacteria Toxins; L.A. Sirenko, T. Parshykova.- Using of Laser-Doppler Spectrometry for Determination of Toxicity Degree of Chemical and Natural Compounds; V. Vlasenko et al.- PCR Techniques as Diagnostic Tools for the Identification and Enumeration of Toxic Marine Phytoplankton Species; A. Penna, L. Galluzzi.- Detection of Phytoplankton with Nucleic Acid Sensors; S. Diercks et al.- Development of Sensors to Trace Toxins from Dinoflagellates and other Algae to Seafood; P. Albertano et al.- Recombinant Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase and Gene-engineered Methylotophic Yeasts as Bioanalytical Instruments for Assay of Toxic Formaldehyde; G. Gayda et al.- Electrochemical Sensing Methods: a Brief Review; A. Scozzari.- Oddities and Curiosities in the Algal World; L. Barsanti et al.- Index.- List of Contributors.
