ALGETOX · Chemistry and Chemical Biology of Lipophilic Algal Toxins

Improved methods will be developed for isolation of lipophilic marine algal toxins (azaspiracids, pectenotoxins, yessotoxins and okadaic acid analogues) and their metabolites from algae and shellfish. Derivatives such as labelled analogues will also be produced. These materials will be used in collaborative studies to perform toxicology, identify toxin mode-of-action, and develop improved or validated analytical methods (e.g. ELISA, immunoaffinity cleanup, LC-MS). Information obtained will lead to improved regulatory levels for algal toxins and reduced use of animals (3Rs principal) for routine testing of algal toxins in shellfish.