Charge and Field Effects in Biosystems—3

We have again brought together for the Third International Symposium on Charge and Field Effects in Biosystems (July 21-27, 1991), a group of scientists whose interests reside in the fields of bioelectrochemistry, bioenergetics, and bioelectric phenomena. Like the previous symposia at the University of Nottingham (1983) and Virginia Commonwealth University (1989) the topics discussed were related to bioelectric phenomena, including solid state theoretical and experimental approaches to charge and energy transfer in biomolecular and cellular systems, ion and electron transport properties of biological and artifical membranes, the effects of electric fields on biological systems, photoinduced bioelectrochemical phenomena, and the applications of bioelectrochemical technology. The present conference also introduced procedures which may well serve to define the mechanisms of various bioelectrical phenomena, including electroporation for gene transfer and electro- fusion for hybridoma formation. Favorable comments made during and after the Symposium indicated that a further conference should be held. Tentatively, plans are being considered for 1993 or 1994. Milton 1. Allen Stephen F. Cleary Arthur E. Sowers Donald D. Shillady Acknowledgments The Editors wish to express their thanks to Rinnie O'Connor, Diane Ruff, Rae Gerber, and lody Allen for their assistance in preparing the Symposium volume for publication. Our special thanks also to the reviewers who performed their tasks with enthusiastic promptness.