Book excerpt: This book describes the major achievements and discoveries relevant to bacterial protein toxins since the turn of the new century illustrated by the discovery of more than fifty novel toxins (many of them identified through genome screening). The establishment of the three-dimensional crystal structure of more than 20 toxins during the same period offers deeper knowledge of structure-activity relationships and provides a framework to understand how toxins recognize receptors, penetrate membranes and interact with and modify intracellular substrates. Edited by two of the most highly regarded experts in the field from the Institut Pasteur, France 14 brand new chapters dedicated to coverage of historical and general aspects of toxinology Includes the major toxins of both basic and clinical interest are described in depth Details applied aspects of toxins such as therapy, vaccinology, and toolkits in cell biology Evolutionary and functional aspects of bacterial toxins evaluated and summarized Toxin applications in cell biology presented Therapy (cancer therapy, dystonias) discussed Vaccines (native and genetically engineered vaccines) featured Toxins discussed as biological weapons, comprising chapters on anthrax, diphtheria, ricin etc.