The successful functioning of eukaryotic cells is dependent upon a highly organized intracellular cooperation and interaction between the numerous compartments which are present in them. In recent years unicellular algae have become increasingly recognized as favoured objects for studies on struc- tural, biochemical and developmental aspects of compartmentation. Promp- ted by these facts, Professor A. Pirson, former Directior of the Plant Physio- logy Institute in Gottingen, suggested organizing a symposium entitled Com- partments in Algal Cells and Their Interaction. This was then organized...

Four years ago The Blue Light Syndrome was published as the Proceed ings of the 1 st International Conference on the Effect of Blue Light in Plants and Microorganisms. Subsequently the interest in this fascinating and growing field of re search has further increased, as is reflected by numerous publications. Blue light effects cover such a wide spectrum of organisms, responses and methods that communication among scientists with backgrounds in biology, biochemistry, and biophysics is particularly necessary. These facts not only justified, but demanded calling the "Blue Light Family" together...

The importance of toxins and other phanuacologically active com pounds obtained from marine animals cannot be emphasized enough. The use of these chemicals for defense or attack of other life fonus are of interest in themselves; however, they are of great importance in our understanding of their mechanisms of action in view of possible application in the defense of man (no doubt a predator) and in biol ogy and medicine. The toxin of the flat fish Pardachirus presented in some of the papers of this book is an example of a defense mechanism based on secretion of a toxin that could possibly be...

This volume contains the papers presented at the international symposium on "Molecular Mechanisms in Protein Synthesis" held on September 26-27, 1983 at the Beyaz Ko k in Emirgan, Bosphorus, Istanbul. The symposium aimed to create a medium for information exchange and discussions regarding the current developments in the area of protein syn thesis. To ensure an informal yet scientifically stimulating and productive atmosphere providing opportunity for relaxed and speculative discussions, the number of presentations was limited to twenty and that of attendants to about sixty. The emphasis in...

The neuroendocrine control of reproduction and development of inver- tebrates has a long tradition as an important area of research in France. The reader of this volume is certainly familiar with the significant con- tributions to this field made by such outstanding scientific personalities as J ean-J acques Bounhiol, Jean Panouse, Bernard Possompes, Pierre and Line Joly, Helene Charniaux-Cotton,Maurice Durchon, Manfred Gabe, Guy Echalier, Marie Raabe, and others. It is therefore not surprising that the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) sponsored, in 1975 and 1983, two major...

Over the past few semesters a group of neurologists, neurophysiologists, and brain theorists in various departments of Tlibingen University have gathered periodically in an effort to review ideas and evidence on cerebel lar functions. At times, general solutions seemed close, when credit was given to various theoretical proposals advanced since the early days of cer ebellar physiology, however, it became clear in every case that a large part of the available facts refused to submit to the general ideas. As believers in the power of scientific discussion, we felt that the time was ripe for...

Isoquinolines form one of the largest groups of plant alkaloids and they in clude a number of valuable clinical agents such as codeine, morphine, eme tine and tubocurarine. Research into different aspects of isoquinolines con tinues in profusion, attracting the talents of botanists, chemists, bioche mists, analysts, pharmacists and pharmacologists. Many of these aspects are of an interdisciplinary nature, and in April 1984, The Phytochemical Society of Europe arranged a 3-day symposium on The Chemistry and Bi ology of Isoquinoline Alkaloids in order to provide a forum for scientists of...

The idea for the p esent book arose from a 3-day seminar which I organized in March 1984 for young research workers in plant physiology. Participants came from several universities of the French-speaking part of Switzerland and speakers from Basel, Mtinchen, Nottingham, Perpignan, Regensburg, Sheffield, Toulouse, Yale, ZUrich ... and Lausannne. The theme of the seminar was chosen from the range of research fields of our Institute. Meanwhile, feeling it was important to bear in mind that some of our hearers were not specialists in the chosen topic, I wished to pro vide a subject that would be...

This volume is one of those published from the proceedings of the invited lectures to the First International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry I organized at Liege (Belgium) in August 1984 under the auspices of the Section of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry of the International Union of Biological Sciences. In a general foreword to these different volumes, it seems to me appropriate to consider briefly what may be the comparative approach. Living organisms, beyond the diversity of their morphological forms, have evolved a widespread range of basic solutions to cope...

This volume is one of those published from the proceedings of the invited lectures to the First International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry I organized at Liege (Belgium) in August 1984 under the auspices of the Section of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry of the International Union of Biological Sciences. In a general foreword to these different volumes, it seems to me appropriate to consider briefly what may be the comparative approach. Living organisms, beyond the diversity of their morphological forms, have evolved a widespread range of basic solutions to cope...