This project supports U.S. participation in an international symposium and workshop on microbial conversion of biomass to be held in Lahore, Pakistan in February, 1989. In addition to U.S. and Pakistani scientists, participants are expected from several third world countries. The symposium is to provide the Pakistani and third world scientists with the most recent information on the subject, and to impart to them current experimental techniques. The workshop is planned to help identify specific scientific problems of interest to the U.S. and to Pakistan and to develop outlines for joint research leading to their solutions. Topics to be covered include biological means for improving the breakdown of lignocellulose, optimum enzyme production, genetic manipulation of test organisms, improving pentose fermentation to ethanol, methane production from biomass, lignin degredation in fungi by photoplast fusion, microbial degradation of lignin, oil degredation organisms, the recovery of metal by microorganisms, and the practical aspects of gaseous energy production. A workshop proceedings is expected to result from the meeting. Scope: The cooperating Pakistani scientist, Dr. Kauser Malik, at the Pakistan Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology in Faisalabad, Pakistan is one of the most dynamic and productive researchers in Pakistan in the field of biotechnology. His institute (NIAB) is well equipped to organize the meeting and to manage the technical sessions and the proceedings production. Dr. Malik and the P.I. are currently collaborating on several projects funded by NSF and others funded by AID. Their cooperation in this meeting and the good selection of U.S. participants to cover the various specific areas will likely lead to a successful result.
