C.-G. Hedén

AUTOMATED SELECTION OF ACTIVE STRAINS OF MICRO-ORGANISMS

The method rests on the agar-diffusion principle. An indicator organism, sensitive to the active compound being tested for, is suspended uniformly in melted agar. If producers of a specific growth factor are being sought, the agar will contain all nutrients required for growth of the indicator organism, except that factor. This inoculated agar is then cast continuously as a solid band. The testorganisms, i.e., the strains to be tested for ability to synthesize this particular active compound, are inoculated on to the surface of the agar. After inoculation the band moves through an incubation section of the apparatus. During incubation, the test-organism will form a colony on the agar. If the testorganism is able to synthesize sufficient amounts of the active compound, a growth-or inhibition-zone will be formed in the agar surrounding the testorganism colony. The zone is sufficiently distinct tobe recognized by a photoelectric detector. On a positive signal from the detector, a pick-up mechanism can transfer cells from the colony to sterile capsules with nutrient broth. The organisms thus isolated may then be evaluated in detail.

Application of computer conferencing in the electronic extensions of face-to-face symposia and congresses

SummaryAn electronic extension of a face-to-face symposium or a congress enables people to participate in the symposium from their home countries. Using a terminal linked to a computer-based messaging or conferencing system, a participant can read and discuss abstracts of papers and posters presented at a symposium, and can conduct asynchronous discussions with the participants gathered at the symposium venue. The use of computer conferencing or computer-mediated communication to electronically extend face-to-face symposia and congresses to the majority of researchers and scientists who are unable to attend such symposia due to financial or travel restrictions has many benefits; some of which are: it promotes rapid information exchange, facilitates increased participation in the discussion of papers and posters and it is cost effective.Detailed guidelines for the planning, arrangement, moderating and management of electronic extensions are elaborated further in the paper. Various prerequisites and essential items for an electronic extension are outlined and possible improvements and future developments suggested.RésuméLes communications par ordinateur permettent aux scientifiques de participer, à partir de leur lieu de résidence, aux discussions des publications et des posters présentés dans les symposiums et congrès. Ce mode asynchrone de diffusion de textes est particulièrement utile pour ceux qui ne disponsent pas de crédits de voyage, ou en cas de restriction à la liberté de déplacement et à lattribution de devises étrangères. les succès déjà obtenus dans le domaine de la digestion anaérobie et de la production de bio-gaz peuvent servir dexample pour lapplication de lextension électronique à dautres sujets de microbiologie appliquée et de biotechnologie. Lexpérience acquise en ce qui concerne la planification, la conduite et la gestion des extensions électroniques facilitera la dissémination de linformation, réduira les frais de participation et accroîtra les audiences, ce qui est dune importance évidente pour le développement de la microbiologie appliquée et de la biotechnologie. Les progrès futurs des télécommunications et des liaisons par satellites augmenteront encore le nombre de pays ayant accès à ces nouvelles possibilités, notamment dans le Tiers Monde.

Waste treatment & utilization in developing countries: Summary address

Abstract Since the 1978 United Nations University (UNU) conference on “Bioconversion of Organic Residues for Rural Communities”, activities related to waste management have increased at the governmental (aid organizations like IDRC), inter-governmental (UNEP, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, FAO, etc.) and non-governmental levels (MIRCENs, IOBB, IAWPC, IUPAC, IFIAS, etc.). Some of the efforts being made in industrialized countries to turn waste (e.g. whey) into a resource are also highly relevant to developing countries, but communications need to be improved. Computer conferencing has demonstrated its potential here, and is now also being explored as a tool for multifaceted investigations like a feasibility study on the establishment of a Biological Resource Development Corporation. The papers presented at the present conference are reviewed in the context of their potential for triggering research cooperation in areas such as strain selection and evaluation, microbial physiology and microbial ecology.

Working Group: POPULATION, HEALTH, AND FAMILY: Control of Population: Numbers and Quality Environmental Control and Public Health Genetic Engineering Family Institutions

4 general topics are presented and discussed informally: 1) control of population (numbers and quality); 2) environmental control and public health; 3) genetic engineering; and 4) family institutions. Participants are Jacques Bergier Johan Bjorksten Robert Cancro Yusuf Ali Eraj Arnold J. Friedhoff Alexander Hollaender Lawrence R. Kegan John Norton Moore N. Henry Moss Stuart Mudd Larry Ng Ruth Sager William Simon Richard Wakefield Walter N. Walmsley and James Wellesley-Wesley. A biological bill of rights for mankind which was later adopted in modified form was read into the working groups report. Among the biological rights are a pure and adequate food supply an upbringing that lays the foundation for healthy psychological development an equitable psychological environment and adequate medical care. Among the other recommendations are that decisionmakers at every level attend to developing and implementing strategies for dealing with expected population problems; that research be done on the genetic and behavioral effects of low levels of environmental agents; that a greater emphasis in medical research and practice be put on prevention of disease and managing the problems of normal life such as maturation and aging; and that research be continued into the range of functions performed by the family with exploration of alternative models of family organization that could fulfill these functions. In view of the urgency and complexity of the problems of environment and health care the Working Group recommends the establishment of an interdisciplinary commission to function on a continuing basis to study both environmental and health care problems and make policy recommendations.