Understanding the Exposure and Global Health Risks Associated with Naturally Occurring Environmental Biotoxins in a Rapidly Changing World

Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins are diverse and highly toxic compounds that naturally occur in the environment and frequently contaminate food, feeds and water on every continent. Climatic conditions are significant drivers of environmental contamination to both the fungal and the algal families of toxins. Thus a major concern is to understand and mitigate the public health and economic impacts, within this uncertain changing world. The 2017 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins will provide a forum for academic, government and private sector scientists to exchange ideas on harnessing advances in biology, chemistry, ecology, plant pathology, epidemiology and risk assessment to address the problems associated with occurrence of these natural toxins. This conference will bring together a wide range of outstanding senior scientists, early career and students to address the very practical task of ensuring the safety of food and water supplies. Podium presentations will include a mixture of established and junior scientists, with a view to establishing networks and ideas to understand and mitigate these complex threats. A critical component will be dedicated and guided discussions after each presentation, with discussion leaders recognized for their expertise in each particular area. Poster sessions will provide an opportunity for fertile cross-disciplinary interactions. The Gordon Research Seminar, immediately preceding the GRC, will be organized and conducted by graduate students and postdoctoral scientists from the many disciplines involved in advancing mycotoxin and phycotoxin research. Junior scientists will present their work in a formal, oral format and engage in discussion with their peers. The environment will be welcoming and collegial and will provide an unmatched opportunity for future researchers to interact with established scientists. Two leading students from this section will additionally present within the GRS.