ABSTRACT NARRATIVE Description: This proposal requests funds for the travel of nine U.S. scientists to an International Conference on the Structure and Function of Biomembranes to be held at the Bose Institute, Calcutta, India, November 30-December 2, 1989. The U.S. principal investigator, Dr. Marsha Rosner of the University of Chicago is cooperating with the Indian converner of the conference, Dr. P. Chakrabarti of the Bose Institute. The conference is decribed as a one-of-a-kind international conference to address fundamental issues of membrane structure and function. The organizing committee consists of a noted scientist from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, West Germany, Belgium and India. Scope: The proposed conference will provide a unique opportunity for American scientists working in membrane-related areas to establish collaborations and relationships with researchers from all participating countries. Membrane research in the beginning covered a broad range of subjects, but soon began to specialize in narrowly focused fields of research. This specialization is now seen as a disadvantage in loss of perspective and knowledge that other disciplines may provide membrane research. This cross-disciplinary conference is a means to open-up and advance new ideas and information in the field. This proposal fulfills the criteria of the U.S. - India Cooperative Science Program regarding the support of international conferences and workshops dedicated to the exchange of information and to expand scientific cooperation.
