This volume contains the lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Sensor Systems for Biological Threads: The Algal Toxins Case", held in Pisa, Italy in October, 2007. The Institute was sponsored and funded by the Scientific Affairs Division of NATO. It is my pleasant duty to thank this institution. This ASI offered updated information on how far the research on algal toxins has gone in the exploration of structures, biosynthesis and regulation of toxins, and the development of technology for bio-monitoring these c- pounds. Algae can form heavy growths in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and sl- moving rivers throughout the world; algae can house toxins which are - ually released into water when the cells rupture or die. Hundreds of toxins have been identified so far. Detection methods, including rapid screening, have been developed to help us learning more about them, especially to find out which toxins are a real threat for people and what conditions encourage their production and accumulation. Early detection of algal toxins is an - portant aspect for public safety and natural environment, and significant efforts are underway to develop effective and reliable tools that can be used for this purpose.

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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. Granéli, 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.