Advances in molecular, structural, and cell biology have expanded our appreciation for toxin family members that vary in composition, structure, mechanism of action, and application. Genome sequencing has extended our appreciation of the presence of toxin homologues that exist far from the parental genus, while structural studies have identified new molecular organizations of toxins. In addition, cell biological studies have assigned new activities to parent toxins and their homologues. This session will address recent advances toward understanding the actions and applications of toxins from diverse sources.

This session welcomes studies on these diverse toxins, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Establishing new methods to identify toxins in the laboratory and in the environment
• Determining new molecular structures–functions of toxin organization.
• Defining new mechanisms of toxin action.
• Determining novel clinical application for new and established toxins.
• Creating new approaches for toxin diagnosis.
• Establishing methods to reverse disease progression in a host.
• Generating innovative approaches for vaccine development.
• Remediating the emergence and reemergence of toxin-mediated diseases.

The goal of this session is to promote collaborative research that will generate new information of toxin action used to combat new and reoccurring toxin-mediated infectious diseases.

Toxins pose significant health threats, capable of inducing a broad spectrum of pathologies ranging from acute illness to mortality. However, their high specificity for cellular targets also renders them as valuable tools in both therapeutic development and basic biomedical research. Therapeutic strategies against toxins include the use of antidotes, neutralizing antibodies, vaccines, and small-molecule inhibitors. Conversely, toxins themselves—particularly when modified or conjugated—can serve as potent agents in targeted therapies, such as immunotoxins designed to selectively eliminate cancerous or virus-infected cells.

This session will explore the recent advances in the role of toxins as molecular probes for dissecting biological processes and as therapeutic tools for disease intervention and the development of therapeutics to mitigate their toxic effects. Emphasis will be placed on understanding toxin structure–function relationships, mechanisms of cellular entry and trafficking, host–pathogen interactions, and strategies for neutralizing toxic effects. One of the session’s goals is also to highlight the translational potential of toxins in identifying novel drug targets and in designing next-generation biologics and vaccines.

The goal of this session is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration that will accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutics and deepen our mechanistic understanding of toxin biology. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Toxins as molecular tools in biological research;
• Toxin-based assays and genetic screens for drug discovery;
• Structural and functional analysis of toxins and their inhibitors;
• Mechanistic studies using inhibitors to dissect toxin action;
• Cellular uptake, trafficking, and intracellular targeting of toxins;
• Host–pathogen interactions involving toxins;
• Toxins as therapeutic targets;
• Development of biology-based targeted therapies;
• Small-molecule therapeutics countering toxin effects;
• Vaccine development against bacterial and viral toxins;
• Therapeutic strategies for toxin-mediated diseases.

Through scientific presentations and interdisciplinary discussions, this session will attempt to advance the field by promoting innovative approaches to harness the therapeutic potential of toxins and to mitigate their harmful effects in clinical settings.

The presence of natural and anthropogenic toxins in our environment represents a significant and multifaceted threat to public health, demanding increased attention from scientists, regulators, and healthcare professionals alike. From harmful algal blooms in marine and freshwater systems to the contamination of food chains by fungal metabolites such as mycotoxins, the exposure to toxic substances is associated with a wide array of adverse health effects—ranging from acute poisonings to chronic conditions, including cancer, liver damage, and neurological disorders. Climate change, the globalization of food markets, and increased anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems have further contributed to the emergence and re-emergence of toxin-related risks, often affecting the most vulnerable populations.

This session aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives to explore the mechanisms, pathways, and consequences of toxin exposure on human health. We welcome presentations that address current challenges, methodological advances, and preventive approaches in this critical domain. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

• Epidemiological studies linking toxin exposure to acute and chronic health outcomes;
• Exposure assessments of marine/freshwater toxins, mycotoxins, algal blooms, and industrial chemicals;
• Mechanistic insights into toxin-induced pathologies and vulnerable populations;
• The development and application of analytical methods and biomonitoring strategies;
• Risk assessment models and public health surveillance frameworks;
• Case studies of outbreaks, algal bloom events, or intoxication incidents;
• Strategies for prevention, mitigation, and policy interventions aimed at reducing public health impacts.

Through interdisciplinary dialogue, this session will foster scientific exchange and contribute to developing effective tools and policies for managing the public health impact of environmental toxins.

As agriculture faces increasing pressure from climate change, global trade, and intensifying production, understanding and managing toxins has never been more critical. On the one hand, toxins such as mycotoxins, phytotoxins, agrochemical residues, and plant-derived bioactive compounds pose significant challenges to the safety and sustainability of agricultural production. On the other hand, insecticidal toxins play a crucial role in crop protection through their targeted use against insect pests and disease vectors. This virtual session aims to garner leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to explore the varied roles of natural and synthetic toxins in agricultural systems and discuss innovative strategies for both mitigating risks and harnessing beneficial applications.

This session seeks to highlight recent research on the following topics:

• The origin, biosynthesis, and environmental dynamics of toxins in agriculture;
• Detection methods and analytical technologies for toxin monitoring;
• Impacts on crop quality, food safety, and human and animal health;
• Risk assessment, regulatory frameworks, and mitigation strategies;
• The use of biotechnology and natural products to combat pests and toxin-producing pathogens.

This session will include keynote talks, presentations, and interactive Q&A segments to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and identify actionable strategies for reducing the impact of toxins in agricultural production and the food supply chain and expanding their use for pest control. The target audience includes researchers in toxicology, plant pathology, entomology, food safety, agricultural science, environmental health, and biotechnology, policymakers and industry stakeholders.

The modern human food supply chain—from production and processing to storage and distribution—is increasingly susceptible to a wide array of toxins originating from both natural (endogenous) and synthetic (exogenous) sources. These foodborne toxins may include mycotoxins, marine biotoxins, processing-induced contaminants, environmental pollutants, pesticide residues, and emerging substances like microplastics and nanomaterials. As technological advancements in food production and global supply networks evolve, the risk of human exposure to these contaminants continues to grow, posing complex challenges to food safety, public health, and regulatory oversight.

This scientific session is designed to convene multidisciplinary experts working at the forefront of food safety, toxicology, chemistry, molecular biology, and risk assessment. The goal is to advance our understanding of the health implications associated with dietary exposure to foodborne toxins.

Topics of interest include:
• Chemical identity and classification of foodborne toxins (natural and synthetic)
• Structure–activity relationships and mechanisms of toxicity
• Routes of human exposure and pathways of entry through the food chain
• Biotransformation and chemical modification of toxins during food processing or digestion
• Analytical detection methods and biomonitoring strategies
• Quantitative exposure assessments and population-level risk modeling
• Epidemiological data linking exposure to adverse health outcomes
• Toxicokinetics and biomarkers of exposure
• Innovations in mitigation and detoxification technologies
• Regulatory and policy perspectives on emerging food safety threats

Through presentations and discussions, this session aims to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue, promote collaborative research, and inform regulatory and public health strategies. Ultimately, the session seeks to contribute toward building safer and more resilient food systems in the face of evolving chemical and biological risks.