This U.S.-Italy award will support an interdisciplinary meeting in Manziana, Italy on the topic of copper in biological systems. The meeting, organized by Professor Jack Peisach of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Professor Bruno Mondovi of the University of Rome "La Sapienza," will include 15 participants from twelve countries besides the U.S. and Italy. The emphasis will be on non-blue copper oxidases, although sessions devoted to blue copper, hemocyanin, cytochrome oxidase, and the role of copper in toxicity and detoxification mechanisms will be included. Copper plays a vital role in biological systems. It is an essential transition metal required for enzymatic reactions, bioenergetic processes, and for structural integrity of some proteins. In excess, it can be toxic, both through its role as a heavy metal intoxicant, but also in reactions that generate toxic oxygen species. Considering the importance of biological copper systems, it is not surprising that they remain under vigorous investigation in numerous laboratories throughout the United States, Italy, and other parts of the world. Although the topic has been discussed at various scientific meetings, the Manzania meetings have been exceptional for the breadth of their multidisciplinary approach and their specific focus on copper research. The introduction of several important techniques in the field can be traced back to the impact of past Manzania meetings. In addition to acting as a clearing house for a multidisciplinary approach, the Manzania meetings have provided a nurturing scientific environment for young investigators. In the five years since the last Manziana meeting, the direction of the field has changed considerably and new approaches and understanding of the role of metals in biology make the case for a meeting on this topic.
