Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on “Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed” Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016

1. Management of Aflatoxin in Africa
NVI`s interests and available expertise
Ida Skaar
Mycology
Gunnar Sundstøl Eriksen
Toxicology
PRESENTATTHEMEETING
Anita Solhaug
Cell biology
Silvio Uhlig
Chemistry
Christiane Fæste
Toxicokinetics
Hege Divon
Genomics
Chris Miles
Chemistry
Helene Wisløff
Pathology

2. Project leader:
Hege H. Divon
FUNtox-SIS (Strategic Institute Initiative) 2014-2018:
Chemistry
Toxicology
Mycology
 Interdisciplinary research on
fungi and mycotoxins
 Contribute to animal and
human health by ensuring
feed and food safety
 12 – 16 associate researchers
Fungi and mycotoxins in
a One Health perspective
Scopes
 Understanding the effects of toxins on humans and
animals (gastrointestinal health, immune system, brain)
 Understanding the biology of fungi and their metabolites
(preventive solutions)
 Innovation, use of contaminated grain (decomposition)

3. Environment
Humans Animals
o Zoonosis
o Comparative
aspects
o Allergies
o Mycotoxicoses
o Mycoses
o Abortions
o Fungal biology
o Climatic changes
o Fungi in food and feed
ONE
HEALTH
o Cancer
o Irritable
Bowel
Syndrome o Immunology
o Pathogenesis
o Gut
FUNtox related scientific challenges
o Allergies
o Mycotoxicoses
o Mycoses

5. How may NVI contribute?
 Cultivation of fungi
 Molecular detection of fungi in diverse
materials (plant, waste, food, feed, soil,
water)
 Molecular studies of factors influencing
mycotoxin production
 Analysis of aflatoxins and other mycotoxins
in food and feed (including fish feed)
 Biomarkers for mycotoxin exposure
(analysis of aflatoxins, ZEN, DON and
metabolites in urine / plasma)
 Cell studies on effects of mycotoxins
 In vitro metabolism studies
 In vivo effects and pathology of mycotoxin
exposure
 Risk assessment of human and animal
exposure (incl. fish)