The Sixth Biophysical Discussion: "Biophysics and Recombinant DNA" will foster an examination of molecular genetic manipulations as they reveal physical and structural properties of proteins. Basic difficulties will be confronted, such as the structures of newly created species, the innovative use of mutagenesis to test specific hypotheses, and modeling built on computation or computer graphics as compared with the need for more accurate three-dimensional molecular structures. Proposed topics for this Discussion include gap junctions; acetylcholine receptors; ion-coupled transporters; bacterial chemotaxic receptors; rhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin, sodium, potassium, and calcium channels; the bacterial flagellar "motor"; receptors and other membrane-spanning or lipid-linked proteins; protein design and engineering; protein folding; and protein/polypeptide insertion. The Organizers of the Discussion hope that bringing together scientists working in these topical areas will raise important new questions, clarify issues and problems and resolve some research controversies.
