Dr. Romana Roje Busatto, a scientist at the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and a representative of the National Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins, participated in two international scientific meetings held in Vigo, Spain, from 20 to 23 October 2026. The meetings focused on improving analytical methods for the detection of marine biotoxins and ensuring seafood safety.
The first event, the 28th Workshop of the European Reference Laboratories for Marine Biotoxins, took place on 20–21 October. The main topics included the strategic priorities of the European laboratory network for 2028–2032, the development and improvement of analytical methods, and the harmonisation of quality standards for marine biotoxin monitoring.
Particular attention was given to recent advances in ciguatoxin research, the analysis of regulated toxins in marine gastropods and echinoderms, and the results of proficiency testing schemes designed to assess laboratory performance and the reliability of analytical methods.
The workshop was followed by the international scientific seminar “Seminar on Emerging Toxins: Advanced Analytical Approaches”, held on 22–23 October, which brought together experts from Europe, Japan, and Canada.
The seminar focused on emerging marine toxins, particularly ciguatoxins, and the development of reliable analytical methods for their detection. Recent research findings from Japan and the Canary Islands were presented, alongside advances in the development of new reference materials and challenges associated with the analysis of other toxins, including tetrodotoxin (TTX) and paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). Discussions also addressed the potential harmful effects of less extensively studied toxins, such as portimine A and ovatoxins.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins (EURLMB).
Participation in these meetings contributes to the continuous professional development of researchers at our Laboratory for Plankton and Shellfish Toxicity, enabling them to keep pace with the latest scientific findings and analytical techniques while ensuring alignment with European standards. The knowledge gained supports the early identification of potential risks associated with marine biotoxins and strengthens the seafood safety monitoring system.
