This International Conference on retinal proteins, which is anticipated to have 130-150 attendees, will permit scientists from the United States and abroad to discuss recent developments and ideas regarding the structure, function, genetics, evolution, and molecular mechanisms of light sensing and energy conversion by retinal proteins in prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes, and the visual rhodopsins of highly evolved eukaryotes. Research on sensory and energy transduction mediated by retinal-containing chromoprotein pigments is currently underway in a large number of laboratories in the United States, Europe, Japan, China and Israel. A range of organisms among the archaebacteria, and eukaryotes are studied, especially with regard to energy conversion and chemo and photosensory transduction mechanisms. Approaches being taken are also very diverse. They include behavioral studies, electrophysiology, genetics, biochemistry, spectroscopic, and molecular biophysical, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical studies. One of the purposes of this meeting is to bring together investigators from many laboratories who use a wide range of techniques to study molecular mechanisms of photo-sensory transduction and light energy conversion in a variety of systems, to compare results, and seek fundamental common principles. Emerging homologies between the components of sensory systems of microorganisms and higher eukaryotes make this an opportune time to make detailed comparisons between higher and lower organisms. Accordingly, this meeting includes scientists who study photosensory transduction in systems ranging from the most primitive archaebacteria to higher vertebrates. It includes also physiologists, biochemists and molecular geneticists, and biophysicists to present an integrated view of the problems. Thus it provides a rare opportunity for the participants, particularly the young scientists, to acquire a broad background in the field.
