9726319 Jones This award supports the participation of American scientists in a U.S.-Japan seminar on Function and Dynamics of Plant Vacuoles, to be held in Hawaii from January 11-14, l999. The co-organizers are Professors Russell Jones of the University of California at Berkeley and Kenzo Nakamura of Nagoya University in Japan. The seminar will focus on the biogenesis, structure and function of vacuoles. It will bring together biochemists, and cell and molecular biologists who work with vacuoles. The emphasis will be on vacuoles in higher plants but vacuoles in baker's yeast will also be discussed. Research on biochemistry, and cell and molecular biology of vacuoles is presently very dynamic. Researchers are beginning to understand the complexities surrounding the biogenesis of vacuoles in plants and yeast and the mechanisms of targeting macromolecules to this compartment. Rapid progress is also being made in identifying and characterizing tonoplast transporters. New pumps and channels on the tonoplast are being described, and the role of these transport molecules in cellular homeostasis is beginning to be understood. It is anticipated that the researchers will be able to discuss and resolve current controversy and disagreement about many aspects of vacuole structure and function. Seminar organizers have made a special effort to involve younger researchers. The exchange of ideas and data with Japanese experts in this field will enable U.S. participants to advance their own work, and will set the stage for future collaborative projects. ***
