We are excited to announce the International Conference on Toxic Cyanobacteria (ICTC13), which will take place on 4-8 May 2025, in Chania, Crete, Greece. The ICTC conferences are held every 3 years in different countries, and Greece is taking the baton from ICTC12, which was held in Toledo (Ohio), USA in 2022. The ICTC conferences present the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of toxic cyanobacteria, which are currently recognized as one of the greatest threats to aquatic ecosystems, water reservoirs, and drinking water.

The thematic areas of ICTC13 include, among others:

• Ecology of cyanobacteria in various environments, including new, “out of the blue” habitats.
• Toxic cyanobacteria in a global warming and changing environment.
• Monitoring and modeling cyanobacteria blooms, with focus on new technologies (sensors, high-frequency remote sensing, AI techniques and tools).
• Taxonomic classification of cyanobacteria with focus on polyphasic approaches.
• Omics and multi-omics approach in toxic cyanobacteria research. Integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.
• Cyanotoxins and secondary cyanometabolites, including volatiles and odorous compounds.
• Detection, structural elucidation, bioactivities and effects.
• Genetics and regulation of cyanotoxin biosynthesis.
• Beneficial properties of cyano-metabolites and promising industrial uses.
• Effects of toxic cyanobacteria on ecosystems, animals and humans. Adopting the “One Health” approach.
• Risk assessment of cyanotoxins in various exposure modes (e.g., drinking water, food, recreational, inhalation).
• Co-occurrence of cyanotoxins with other health hazards in multiple exposure scenarios.
• Management and control of cyanobacteria. New techniques and practices, from actions in the catchment treatment. Case Studies and Success Stories.
• Public & stakeholder engagement and education, including citizen science projects.

Updates will be posted on the Conference website www.ictc13.gr. Please feel free to distribute this announcement to your networks.

ICTC13 is organized by Greek researchers in toxic cyanobacteria under the auspices of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and the National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", and is supported by the laboratories AquOmixLab (EYDAP SA), CyanoLab (AUTh), and LEAD (NCSR Demokritos).

Organizing Committee

Spyros Gkelis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Anastasia Hiskia, NCSR Demokritos

Triantafyllos (Tri) Kaloudis, EYDAP SA & NCSR Demokritos

Theodoros Triantis, NCSR Demokritos

Sevasti Zervou, NCSR Demokritos