Dr Jussi Meriluoto, Department of Biosciences / Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland Jussi Meriluoto, PhD, MTheol, is a biochemist of Finnish origin. He has been working in the field of toxic cyanobacteria since the 1980s. The main line of his research deals with instrumental analyses of cyanotoxins and biomarkers in various matrices. He has applied this expertise in the context of environmental and bioaccumulation studies, ecotoxicology, toxinology, drinking water treatment and toxin degradation. He also has an interest in terrestrial cyanobacteria and probiotic bacteria. He is leading Working Group 1 Occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in CYANOCOST, the COST Action responsible for the development of the Handbook. An important incentive in his work is the principle of inclusiveness and the desire to exchange technical and managemental know-how with new actors entering the cyanotoxin field. Dr Lisa Spoof, Department of Biosciences / Biochemistry, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland Lisa Spoof, PhD, is a Finnish biochemist. She is a specialist on chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses of cyanotoxins. She has carried out research on analysis, isolation and characterization of bioactive peptides (microcystins, nodularins, anabaenopeptins) in freshwater and brackish-water cyanobacteria since the 1990s. Her personal experience in laboratory work also includes research on cylindrospermopsin and cyanobacterial neurotoxins, and this strong hands-on experience has been useful for the editorial work concerning the practical chapters in this Handbook. Professor Geoffrey A. Codd, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, UK, and, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK Geoffrey Codd, PhD, FRSE, is a microbiologist and has carried out research on the biochemistry and ecotoxicology of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. His research has included the molecular and organismal modes of action of microcystins, development of physico-chemical and antibody-based methods for cyanotoxin analysis and the investigation of waterborne, cyanotoxin-associated human and animal health incidents. Professor Codd is a past President of the British Phycological Society and the Federation of European Phycological Societies and has served on working parties and committees for the assessment and risk management of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins at national (UK, Australia, USA) and international level (EU, WHO, UNESCO).
