<unk> s are toxins produced by micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, dinoflagellates, and viruses. Many<unk> s promote infection and disease by directly damaging host tissues and by disabling the immune system. The botulinum toxin, which is primarily produced by Clostridium botulinum and less frequently by other Clostridium species, is the most toxic substance known in the world. However,<unk> s also have important uses in medical science and research. Currently, new methods of detecting bacterial toxins are being developed to better isolate and understand these toxin. Potential applications of toxin research include combating<unk>  virulence, the development of novel anticancer drugs and other medicines, and the use of toxins as tools in neurobiology and cellular biology.
Microbial toxin
Insect toxin
Bacterial adhesin
Pathogenic fungus
Food contaminant
Neurotoxin
Virulence factor
Persistent organic pollutant