Targeted versus non-targeted analysis for emerging toxins

Philipp Hess

IFREMER

Researcher interested in the detection, chemistry, ecological role and impact of phycotoxins on marine environment and human health. After studies of chemistry at EHICS Strasbourg (FR), he completed his PhD in 1998 on organic contaminants in the marine environment (UK). Subsequently, he studied algal toxins, initially focussing on domoic acid and saxitoxins. In 2001, he helped implement chemical testing for lipophilic toxins in parallel to mouse bioassays to combat azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (IE). He then investigated toxin isolation and reference materials for official control, facilitating legislative changes in Europe for lipophilic toxins. Furthermore, he implemented proficiency testing for shellfish toxins within QUASIMEME, undertook method validation exercises for domoic acid and lipophilic toxins and contributed to method standardisation (UK-FSA, EU-project BIOTOX, ECVAM, CEN, INAB, AFNOR, AOAC Presidential Task Force for Phycotoxin Methods). In parallel, he contributed to risk evaluation & management, through a number of WGs (Irish, UK and French Food Safety Agencies, European Food Safety Agency, FAO Expert consultation 2005, Codex alimentarius). Since 2008, P. Hess continues his studies on phycotoxins at the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Seas, Ifremer. His research interests are algal culture for the production of purified toxins and generic methods for biodiscovery (miniaturised bioassays and metabolomic techniques based on high resolution mass spectrometry). He also teaches a course on phycotoxins at Nantes University and is the co-director of the French Research network on harmful algae (www.phycotox.fr). Since 2011, he contributes to communicating science to policy stakeholders through the Marine Board WG “Oceans and Human Health”, European Science Foundation and represents France on the Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IOC-UNESCO).