This project supports U.S. scientists' participation in "International Conference on Biotechnology for Environment and Agriculture" to be held in Karachi, Pakistan, January 6-9, 1993. Sessions will be held on biodegradation, bioremediation, biotransformation of metals, genetically engineered microorganisms, microbial infectious agents in the environment, biological control, role of microorganisms in agriculture, and industrial potential of microorganisms. Specifically the application of biotechnology in agriculture will be discussed with emphasis on the use of microorganisms for controlling plant pathogens. The use of Lactobacilli sp. as a probiotic in cattle and poultry and for the production of bacteriocins by lactobacilli, and their use in food microbiology. The application of biotechnology in industry will be discussed. Scope: The conference has specific objectives that include: allowing scientists and graduate students from Pakistan and other countries in South Asia and the Middle East to meet and interact with scientists from the industrialized countries to exchange information and learn about new ideas, findings and techniques for dealing with environmental problems; increasing the interest in the developing world in examining environmental problems and conducting scientific research to solve these problems; and familiarize western scientists with the problems in countries in the Less Developed Countries (LDC) and the local efforts for their solution. The conference is partially supported by international organizations such as UNIDO, and the Third World Academy of sciences, as well as by the British Council and by several Pakistani organizations. Participants are expected from Japan, India, the U.K., the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Egypt, New Zealand, Belgium, and Switzerland in addition to Pakistan.
