NCCOS scientists are exploring a new way to detect and neutralize saxitoxin, a potent toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning. Some frogs, like the American bullfrog and the High Himalaya frog (pictured here), naturally produce special proteins in their blood called saxiphilins. These proteins act like “toxin sponges,” binding onto saxitoxin and protecting the frog’s nervous system from harm. This could help design better tools to improve monitoring strategies for toxic algal blooms. https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/news/frog-proteins-bind-and-neutralize-paralytic-shellfish-toxins/