Biotechnological tools based on cells and receptors for the detection of ciguatoxins and tetrodotoxins. Title of the coordinated Project: Biotechnological toolkit based on cells, receptors and aptamers for the detection of ciguatoxins and tetrodotoxins.

The general objective is to develop cell-based tools for the toxicological screening of CTXs and TTXs in fish and shellfish samples, receptor-based tools for the structural screening of CTXs and TTXs in these samples, and aptamer-based tools for confirmation purposes though specific detection of these toxins. The combination of these biotechnological tools and their validation through the study of their applicability to the analysis of natural samples will be the key to achieve their implementation in food safety monitoring programs, and will also contribute to understand the processes involved in cell toxicity.