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FEMS is a charity devoted to the promotion of microbiology in Europe.

FEMS is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom (registration number 272537).

FEMS links 36 microbiological Societies in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech and Slovak Republics, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, FYR Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, The United Kingdom and Yugoslavia.

COUNCIL MEETING

The FEMS Council met on Saturday 24 August 1996 in Jerusalem, Israel. The local arrangements were made by the Israel Society for Microbiology. The principal organiser, Dr Eliora Ron, deserves the gratitude of the delegates to Council and the members of the FEMS Executive for arranging a very enjoyable and successful meeting.

At the meeting on the 24 August, Dr Hans Truper was elected to the position of the next Member-at-Large. The Federation hopes that Hans will have an enjoyable and productive association with the FEMS Executive.

Dr Louis Quesnel stood down from his post as Honorary Treasurer of FEMS. The President and members of Council expressed their deep felt thanks for his management of the Federation's funds and his major contributions to the revision of FEMS Statutes, Standing Orders etc. Dr John Norris has taken over as the Hon. Treasurer of the Federation. Members of Council wish John every success in the coming years.

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Current challenges for FEMS

FEMS has functioned effectively in the past 12 months and in accord with the wishes of the Council that met in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1995. The Executive over which I have the honour to preside has managed efficiently the programmes for FEMS fellowships and grants as well as the publication of the 4 FEMS journals - all four continue to improve in quality and circulation. New societies have been admitted to the Federation. The FEMS finances have been administered effectively and, most importantly, in keeping with the guidelines laid down by the UK Charities Commission. The increasing involvement of delegates in the running of the Federation was a notable feature of the past year.

A position paper on the Safety and Ethics of Genetic Manipulation has been produced by a task force headed by Dr Helena Makela, my predecessor as FEMS President.

The healthy situation of FEMS allows the possibility of establishing a permanent office to relieve the heavy administrative load of several of the Officers. It also provides the opportunity to reinforce the role of FEMS in encouraging cooperative ventures among European micro- biologists. A case in point would be the possibility of sequencing the genomes of many more microbial species. This would revolutionise our knowledge of many aspects of microbiology.

Cooperation under the framework of FEMS must anticipate the future and devise ways and means to face the new challenges. During my two remaining years as President, I plan to encourage the organisation of meetings that will help to analyse topics in the forefront of Microbiology. l would also like to reinforce FEMS' role so that societies find it increasingly useful to belong to the Federation. If we operate along those lines, we should be able to remedy current weaknesses in the Federation such as the limited involvement of Virology, Medical Microbiology etc. Finally we must support the discipline in disadvantaged areas of Europe. I expect all member societies to contribute their ideas, support, criticism and enthusiasm to raise the standard of FEMS to the highest possible level.

Cesar Nombela

Dr Cesar Nombela was appointed recently to the prestigious post of President of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research, a multidisciplinary research institution involving upwards of 90 institutes dealing with all scientific fields.

THE NEW HONORARY TREASURER

Dr John R. Norris CBE

John gained a BSc with first class honours in Bacteriology and a PhD in Agriculture at Leeds University. After a one-year research sojourn in Denmark, John held a lectureship in microbiology at Glasgow University fo 6 years. He was then head-hunted by Lord Rothschild to establish a microbiology research unit (subsequently the Borden Microbiology Laboratory) for Shell Research (Sittingbourne, UK). After 10 years at Shell, John became the Director of the ARC Meat Research Laboratory (near Bristol, UK) - a multidisciplinary research laboratory that employed 200 people doing mainly basic research for the red meat industry in the UK. After 6 years he was again head-hunted, this time by Lord Zuckerman, and charged with the task of developing and directing a multidisciplinary research laboratory for Cadbury Schweppes on the campus of the University of Reading, UK - this laboratory evolved into Reading Scientific Services Ltd.

John has published >80 research papers. The high standard of his research led to the award of a DSc by the University of Leeds in 1987. Apart from the above tasks in his professional life, John has been actively involved with many committees/ managing bodies of research councils, government departments, learned societies and been a visiting Professor at 4 Universities in the UK. His services to science and industry were formally acknowledged when John was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) on his retirement in 1991.

Gene Technology in Microbiology: Benefits and Risks

FEMS Council set up a Working Party convened by Professor Helena Makela (President of FEMS, 1992-1995) to produce a report on 'Gene Technology in Microbiology: Benefits and Risks' that could be used by professional microbiologists in dialogue with the general public, with politicians and administrators, and with decision-makers. The Working Party has now completed its task and copies of the report are available from the FEMS Publications Manager.

Summary of the Report

For the general public, the principles of gene technology are not easy to understand because they are based on rather abstract concepts with which the majority of the population may not be familiar. It is essential for maintaining society's trust in science that the public should understand in broad outline what scientists are doing. lt is the aim of this report to make the necessary background information easily available to all microbiologists so that they, in turn, can with ease explain what gone technology is and what its applications are likely to be in the future.

Gene technology has become a central tool in the biological sciences and most areas of microbiology could no longer function without it. In basic microbiological research, gone technology has led to many important discoveries of molecular and cellular functions of microorganisms, of interactions of microorganisms with the environment and has led to new insights concerning their evolution. The methods of gene technology have opened up new ways of understanding how viruses, bacteria and other microbes cause disease in humans as well as in animals and plants.

The report provides examples of the role of gene technology in different areas of microbiology, and it examines potential risks associated with these applications.

SUPPORTED MEETINGS

FEMS charitable expenditure is used to support:

1. Meetings organised in Europe (maximum grant, [UKL 9,500 per meeting).

Organisers of a meeting who seek FEMS support must submit to the FEMS Meetings Secretary: (i) an application form (obtainable from a FEMS Delegate), (ii) a detailed budget, (iii) a programme of the proposed meeting, and (iv) a letter of support from a FEMS-affiliated Society of Microbiology in the country in which the meeting will be held. This material must be submitted by 1 March of the year preceding the one in which the meeting is to be held. FEMS Council, which meets in August or September each year, decides whether or not a meeting will be supported.

2. Workshops including laboratory work, held in Europe (maximum grant, UKL 12,500 per meeting).

The procedure outlined in 1 above to be followed by organisers seeking FEMS support for this type of meeting.

3.Young scientists (3. Young scientists (maximum grant, UKL 5,000 per meeting).

The method of application is outlined in the boxed section on this page.

FEMS MEETINGS 1997

4-6 April 1997

BMS-FEMS European Fungal Physiology & Biochemistry Symposium, Nottingham, UK. Contact: Professor J.E Peberdy, Department of Life Science University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD UK. Fax: +44 (0)115 951 3253

12-16 May 1997

Workshop on Human Chlamydial Infections, Izmir, Turkey

Contact: Dr Demir Sorter, Ego Universitesi, Tip Fakuitesi, Klinik Bacteriyoloji ve Enfeksiyon Hastaliklari AD, Bornova 35100, Izmir, Turkey. Fax: + +90232 3882852

22-25 June 1997

2nd International Conference on the Molecular Genetics and Pathogenesis of the Clostridia, Seillac, France.

Contact: Dr S.T. Cole, Institut Pasteur, Unite de Genetique Moleculaire Bacterienne, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Codex 15, France. Tel: +331-4568 8446; Fax: +331-4061 3583

8-11 July 1997

Bacterial Spore Conference, Cambridge, UK Contact: Dr W. Waites, The University of Nottingham, Dept. of Applied Biochemistry & Food Science, Sutton Bonnington Campus, Loughborough, Leicester LE12 5RD UK. Tel: +44 (0)115 951 6160; Fax: +44 (0)115 951 6162

FEMS Council approved grants to assist the attendance of young scientists at the meetings listed below.

20-21 March 1997

Evolution of the Rumen Microbial Ecosystem, Aberdeen, Scotland

Contact: Dr R.J. Wallace, Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1224 716656; Fax: +44 (0)1224 716687

23-25 March 1997

Second European Meeting on Pathogenesis and Host Response in Helicobacter pylori Infections, Galway, Ireland.

Contact: Dr A. Moran, Dept. of Microbiology, University College, Galway, Ireland. Fax: +353 (0)91-525700

13-16 April 1997

Biofilms in Aquatic Systems, Warwick, UK. Contact: Dr Elaine Wellingham, Conference Secretariat, Field End House, Bude Close, Nailsea, Bristol BS19 2FQ UK. Tel./Fax: +44 (0)1275 853311

10-15 May 1997

VIIth International Symposium on Coronaviruses and Arteriviruses, Segovia, Spain.

Contact: Dr Luis Enjuanes, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, CSIC, Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology, Campus Universidad Aut6noma, Canto Blanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. Tel/Fax: +341 5854555

25-29 June 1997

VIIIth International Conference on Harmful Algae, Vigo, Spain.

Contact: Dr Beatriz Reguera, Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, Centro Oceanografico de Vigo, Cabo Estay, Canido, Aptdo 1552, 36280 Vigo, Spain. Tel: +3486 492111; Fax: +3486 492351

12-17 July 1997

Hydrogenases 97, Albertville, France. Contact: Dr Paulotto M. Vignais, Lab. Biochimie Microbienne/DBMS, CEA/Grenoble, 17 Avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble codex 09, France. Tel: +33 47688 3399; Fax: +33 47688 5185

20-25 July 1997

11th International Conference on Nitrogen Fixation, Paris, France.

Contact: Dr Claudine Elmerich, Departement des Biotechnologies, Insitut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris Codex 15, France. Fax: +331 4568 8790; e-mail:

6-12 September 1997

9th International Symposium on Phototrophic Prokaryotes, Vienna, Austria.

Contact: Dr Wolfgang Loffelhardt, Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Cell Biology, University of Vienna, Dr Bohr-Gasse 9, A-1030 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +431 79515 Ext. 5116; Fax: +431 75)9 5272

21-24 September 1997

2nd EMBO-FEMS Meeting on Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Zeist, NL.

Contact: Dr R.N.H. Konings, Dept. of Biophysica1 Chemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld NL-6525 ED, Nijmegen, NL. Tel: +3124 3652911; Fax: +3124 3652938

FEMS MEETINGS 1996

FEMS supported one meeting in 1996 International Symposium on Novel Methods & Standardisation in Microbiology (1-4 July, Kosice, Slovak Republic). Dr I. Mikula and his colleagues are to be complimented on organising a meeting that attracted 90+ participants from 6 countries.

FEMS grants assisted the attendance of 243 young scientists at 13 meetings in 1996 meetings listed in Circular No.39. The organisers of all 13 meetings deserve the gratitude of the Federation for ensuring that registration fees, accommodation costs etc. were set at a level that ensured optimal use of the FEMS grants.

YOUNG SCIENTIST GRANTS

FEMS Young Scientist Grants enable research workers at an early stage in their careers to attend approved scientific meetings in Europe or Israel. The grants are aimed at broadening the knowledge and experience of young scientists and enabling them to meet other workers in their chosen field of research.

Applicants should be working microbiologists, 35 years old or younger. They should be members of a FEMS microbiological society or recommended by a member of a FEMS society.

Intending applicants should contact the organisers of the meeting they wish to attend for an application form. The com- pleted forms should be returned to the meeting organisers who will allocate the funds available and arrange for the applications to be scrutinised by the FEMS Treasurer. Successful applicants will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance which must be signed by one of the meeting organisers and returned to the Treasurer of FEMS within 30 days of attendance at the meeting.

FEMS in association with Elsevier Science publish four Journals

The FEMS Publications Manager is Dr C.A. Fewson, Publications Office, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland. Tel: +44 (0) 141 339 8855; +44 (0) 141 307 8007 (direct line), Fax: +44 (0) 141 330 4758, E-mail gce01@udef.gla.ac.uk.

Fergus Priest, the Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, was recently appointed the Chief Editor of FEMS Microbiology Letters. Fergus was educated at Battersea Grammar School (London, UK) and at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. At the latter, Tony Rose (the first Secretary General of FEMS) and Charlie Brown introduced him to microbial physiology and Mike Goodfellow to microbial systematics. PhD training was done at the British School of Malting and Brewing at Birmingham University (under the supervision of James Hough). Systematic and physiological aspects of bacterial contaminants of breweries were the focal points of study. After post-doc work on the physiology of industrial amylase fermenters, Fergus joined Heriot-Watt University in 1975. Since that time, his research has centred on endospore-forming bacteria and he takes particular delight in the biodiversity of Bacillus spp. and their biotechnological application in the production of extracellular enzymes.

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS

Chief Editor: Dr Fergus Priest, Edinburgh. An international journal providing for the rapid publication of reports on all aspects of microbiological research. Publication time now only 6 weeks and journal appears every fortnight.

FEMS IMMUNOLOGY AND MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Chief Editor: Dr D.E.S. Stuart-Tull, Glasgow. Publishes high quality research papers and mini-reviews dealing with viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa in both human and veterinary medicine. Published monthly.

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS

Chief Editor: Dr G. Fuchs, Germany. Publishes reviews dealing with all aspects of microbiology. Published quarterly.

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY

Chief Editor: Dr J.C. Fry, Cardiff. Publishes original articles on fundamental aspects of the ecology of all sorts of micro-organisms in natural soil, air, aquatic environments etc. Published monthly.

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ALERT, a new quarterly newsletter, aims to provide an alerting service for scientists active in the field of Microbiology. It is distributed free of charge to scientists around the world. Contact: Elsevier Science BV, Fax +31 (20) 485 3432.

For further detailed information on FEMS and its journals, including full Instructions to Authors and pre-publication table of contents, please consult the FEMS Web site: http://www.elsevier.nl/locate/FEMS

Next Circular: July 1997. Items to Dr R.G.Board, South Lodge, Northleigh, Bradford on Avon, Wilts BA15 2RG, UK. Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1225 863387 before mid April,

1997.

FEMS FACILITATES COMMUNICATION AMONG MICROBIOLOGISTS

THE FEMS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAMME FOR 1997

In 1987 the then Secretary General, Dr K.H. Schleifer, proposed the creation of FEMS Fellowships. These were intended to help young scientists of a FEMS Member Society to receive specialist training for a short period in the laboratory of another FEMS country. The first fellowship was awarded in 1988. The programme has become very popular. In 1996, 45 Fellowships were awarded. The continuation of the programme was approved by FEMS Council (24 August 1996, Jerusalem). The application rules are as follows:

1) Research fellowships are awarded for a short period of time, up to 3 months, to pursue research in a different FEMS country. Age limit of applicants is 35 at the time of application.

2) The upper limit of a Fellowship is UKL 2,500. This covers travel expenses and lodging. Neither laboratory costs nor bench fees can be covered by the Fellowship.

3) The application should contain an application form available from the FEMS Delegate of the Microbiological Society to which the applicant belongs, a curriculum vitae, a reference letter, a letter of acceptance from the host laboratory and a short description of the research project. The Delegate having ensured the eligibility of the applicant and the quality of the application will send the application to the Secretary General of FEMS, Dr Claudine Elmerich, FEMS Research Fellowships, Institut Pasteur, Departement des Biotechnologies, 25 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.

4) The application deadline for 1997 is February 15. The final decision will be made by an ad hoc Committee at the end of March 1997 and the Delegate will be informed by the end of April at the latest.

5) A scientific report shall be sent to the Secretary General at the end of the training period.

The former Hon. Treasurer, Louis Quesnel, has summarised below some of the major developments in the affairs of FEMS during his time in office.

FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS

The Table summarises the remarkable progress made by FEMS during the past 5 years. Despite the welcome increase in charitable expenditure from UKL 36,500 in 1991 to over UKL 100,000 in 1995, rising to UKL 227,000 in 1996, we have more than doubled our accumulated fund to over UKL 800,000. In addition we have established a scheme to provide FEMS Journals free to 60 different libraries in Eastern Europe. The Young Scientists Grant scheme which did not exist in 1991, will have assisted 243 microbiologists to attend FEMS-approved meetings in Europe in 1996.

During this period, we have also restructured the Executive Committee replacing the Chairman by a President, and the two Vice Chairmen by a Vice-President who is the President-elect, and a Member-at-Large. The Statutes have been radically revised and Standing Orders for the conduct of Meetings have been approved by Council. Political changes in Europe have brought into existence new countries and new Societies and FEMS membership has risen from 29 in 1991 to 36 today. The Federation is in a strong position to expand its activities and to make an increasing impact on European Microbiology.

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL MOVEMENTS

                        (UKL 000)

                   1990/91   1995    1996 (est.)

INCOME 
Subscriptions         16       21.6    23 
Investments/bank      21      129      80 
 interest 
Journals (net of      81.3    222     234 
 expenses)

EXPENDITURE 
Meetings              25.7     15      13.5 
Fellowships           10.8     73      80 
Young Scientists       0       12.3    60 
 Grants 
Running Expenses      23.3     44      55 
Accumulated          358.3    772     810 
General Fund

est.= estimated

NEWS FROM THE SOCIETIES

LITHUANIAN SOCIETY OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGISTS

When Lithuania regained its independence in 1991, the Country's medical microbiologists founded the Lithuanian Society of Medical Microbiologists (LSMM) at a meeting in November 1992. The statutes of the Society were approved in March 1993 by the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice. The Society has 134 members who work at Public Health Centres or microbiological laboratories in hospitals. The Society held its first congress in April 1994 and the second in June 1996. A meeting on Hospital Microbiology was held by the Society in 1995. Dr Alvydas Pavilonis (Head of Kaunas Medical Academy Microbiology Faculty) is the elected President of LSMM. In the recent past, much has been done to reorganise the work done in microbiological laboratories in Lithuania.

ISRAEL SOCIETY OF MICROBIOLOGY

The annual meeting will be held on 20-21 January, 1997 not on 22-23 January as published in FEMS Circular No.40.

THE ITALIAN PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The Society has changed the name and broadened the appeal of its Journal, Rivista di Patologia Vegetale. This, the second oldest phytopathological journal in the world (established 1892), will in future be known as Journal of Plant Pathology (JPP).

For further details, contact Managing Editor (JPP), DCDSI, Sez Patologia Vegetale, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy. Tel: +3950 571556; Fax: +3950 544420;
E-mail: gvann@agr.unipi.it or visit internet site,
http://www.agr.unipi.it/sipav/jpp.

SWISS MICROBIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The Society is holding a meeting (20-21 February, 1997) at 56 Jahresversammlung, St Gallen on Microbial Interaction in Medicine, Ecology and Technology.

BULGARIAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY

The 9th Congress of the Microbiologists in Bulgaria will be held 23-25 October, 1997 at International Home of Scientists, Summer Resort, "St Constantine", Varna, Bulgaria.

DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FUR HYGIENE UND MIKROBIOLOGIE

The general meeting of DGHM was held in Bonn from 8-11 October 1996. Major topics were classification and identification of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic resistance of bacteria, food microbiology, vaccines and vaccination as well as environmental and water hygiene. The majority of the plenary lectures were given by internationally known microbiologists. The meeting was attended by about 600 scientists from France, Switzerland, UK and USA. The next meeting will take place in Jena from October 5-9, 1997. Starting in 1997, the Society will launch a new information bulletin. lt is planned to publish four issues per year.

FEMS Circular is now available electronically through Bioline

Publications: http://bioline.bdt.org.br/

SOCIETY FOR APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY

Summer Conference, 14-17 July 1997 University of East Anglia, Norwich

There will be a two and a half day meeting covering all aspects of TOXINS. Keynote lectures will address aspects of microbial toxins and special sessions will examine therapeutic uses, toxins in water, membrane damaging toxins and practical applications.

A special feature of the meeting will be a 'hands-on workshop' providing working demonstrations of toxin detection kits in a laboratory setting.

Full details from:

SAB Office
PO Box 510
Hartold, Bedford MK43 7YU
United Kingdom
Tel: 01234 720047 Fax: 01234 720048

RUSSIAN MICROBIOLOGY SOCIETY

Prof. Vladimir V. Ignatov, RMS Vice President, was recently appointed to the office of FEMS Delegate to succeed Dr L.V. Kalakoutskii of the Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Micro-organisms (Pushchino, Moscow Oblast).

Prof. Ignatov has been director of the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Micro-organisms (Saratov) since the foundation of the institute in 1980.

ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGISTS

The quarterly newsletter of the Association is to be incorporated into a new quarterly journal Medical Microbiologists which will be distributed free to members. There will be invited review papers, a diary of meetings, information on circulars and news from the committees of the Association.

The spring meeting will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. It wiII be jointly organised with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the topics covered will be community infections, diagnosis and management.

SOCIETY FOR GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY

The Society has an interesting programme of meetings planned for 1997. The Spring meeting is to be held at Herlot-Watt University, Edinburgh from 24-27 March where the topic of the Main Symposium is 'Molecular Aspects of Host-Pathogen Interactions'. Sixteen speakers from around the world will cover a diversity of subjects under this heading, ranging from prions, through animal and plant viruses, to bacteria and eukaryotic micro-organisms. Other symposia include: 'MicrobiaI Ceil Wall Biosynthesis & Regulation', 'Viral Disease in the Immuno-compromised Host', 'Micro- biology of the Gut', 'Yeasts as Recombinant DNA Hosts', 'Environmental Regulation of Virulence Gene Expressio, n' and 'Virus-Host Protein-Protein Interactions in Virus Replication'. SGM will also be holding a symposium and workshops for the public at the Edinburgh Science Festival which is running at the same time as the Society meeting. In September SGM will be at the University of Southampton where the Main Symposium will be on 'Checkpoints and Non-linear Dependency' and the Virus Group will be holding a joint meeting with the German Virological Society.

THE BRITISH MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The origins of the British MycoIogical Society can be traced to the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club, based at the Hereford Museum. Its curator, Dr Henry Graves Bull, invited members in 1867 to join him in "a foray amongst the Funguses" which became an annual event, traditionally held in Hereford in the first week in October. Members dined at the Green Dragon. The Woolhope Club forays attracted mycolegists from Britain and abroad but after Bull's death in 1885 the tradition lapsed. The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union set up a Mycological Committee in 1892 with the hope that their annual forays would take the place of the Hereford forays and "by avoiding the weak points of its predecessor, which were mainly confined to excess hospitality - prove at least equally attractive and instructive to mycologists". At a meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union in Huddersfield in 1895 the idea of forming a "National Mycological Union" was proposed. It was implemented the following year, 1896, at a meeting of the YNU at the Londesborough Arms, Selby. Thus the British Mycological Society was conceived and born in Yorkshire.

OTHER MEETINGS

(not sponsored by FEMS)

2-11 February, 1997

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON COMPUTATION IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, HUJ, Jerusalem, Israel. Contact: Prof. Yechiel Becker, Dept. Molecular Virology, Faculty of Medicine, HUJ, Jerusalem, Israel. Fax: 972-2784010. E-mail: becker@md2.huji.ac.il.

5-9 March 1997

XXII MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN TUMOR VIRUS GROUR Innsbruck, Austria. Contact: M.P Dierich, Institut fur Hygiene, LeopoldFranzens-University, Fritz-Pregl-Str. 3, A-6010, Innsbruck, Austria. Tel: +0512/507-3400. Fax: +0512/507 2870. E-mail: Susanne. Rofner@uibk.ac.at.

15-18 March 1997

MICROBIAL RESPONSE TO STRESS, Sesimbra, Portugal. Contact: Prof. Isabel Sa-Correia, Seccao de Biotecnologia, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1096 Lisboa Codex, Portugal. Tel: +3511 8417233/682. Fax: +3511 8480072. E-mail; qisc@beta.ist.utl.pt or qviegas@beta.ist.utl.pt.

23-28 March 1997

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON VIRUS DISEASES OF HUMANS, ANIMALS, FISH AND PLANTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, Eilat, Israel. Contact: Prof. Yechiel Becker, Dept. Molecular Virology, Faculty of Medicine, HUJ, Jerusalem, Israel. Fax: 972-2-784010. E-mail: becker@md2.huji .ac.iI.

7-17 April 1997

NATO ADVANCED STUDY INSTITUTE IN "MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY", University of Birmingham, UK. Contact: Dr Georgina Lloyd, ASI Tutor for Admissions, School of Biochemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Fax: +121 414 7366. E-mail: G.S.LLOYD@BHAM.AC.UK. Further information on: http://iptunix.bcm.bham.ac.uk/sjwb/nato.html.

29 June - 4 July 1997

EIGHTH EUROPEAN WORKSHOP CONFERENCE ON BACTERIAL PROTEIN TOXINS, Kloster Banz, Staffelstein, Germany. Contact: C. Borde, Dr B. Brand or Prof. J. Hacker, Inst. Mol. Biology of Infectious Diseases Roentgenring 11, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany. Tel: +49-(0)931-312575/573801. Fax: +49-(0)931-571954. E-mail: b.brand@rzbox.uni-wuerzburg.de.

9-11 July 1997

BIENNIAL SYMPOSIUM OF THE SOCIETY FOR ANAEROBIC MICROBIOLOGY, Cambridge, UK. Contact: K.W. Bennett, Dept. of Microbiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield $10 2JF, UK. Tel: +44 (0)114 2712995. Fax: +44 (0)114 2789376. E-mail: K.W.Bennett@Sheffield.ac.uk.

25-29 August 1997

MICROBIAL CONTROL OF PESTS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (IOBC Working Group: Insect Pathogens and Insect Parasitic Nematodes), Copenhagen, Denmark. Contact: Jergen Eilenberg, Department of Ecology & Molecular Biology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bulowsvej 13, DK1870 Frb.C. Denmark. Fax: +45 3528 2670.

4-8 September 1997

SIXTH CONGRESS ON PSEUDOMONAS MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, Madrid, Spain. Contact: Dr. Victor de Lorenzo, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia -CSIC, Campus de Canto Blanco-Ctra de Colmenar Viejo, Km 15.500, 28049 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +341 5854 536. E-mail: Pseudo97@samba.cnb.uam.es

10-13 September 1997

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON BACTERIAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MARKERS (IVIMBEM), Snekkersten, Denmark. Contact: Dr. Peter Gerner-Smidt, Department of Gastro- intestinal Infections, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: +45 3268 3798. Fax: +45 3268 3036.

21-27 September 1997

THE Xlllth INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (ISEB XIII), Matter and Energy Fluxes in the Anthropocentric Environment, Monopoli (Bari), Italy. Contact: Prof. N. Senesi, Istituto di Chimica Agraria, University of Bari, Via Amendola, 165/A, 70126-Bari, Italy. Tel: +3980 5442853. Fax: +3980 5442813. E-mail:
nsenesi@mail2.clio.it.

28 June - 3 July 1998

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE GENETICS OF INDUSTRIAL MICRO-ORGANISMS -GIM98, Jerusalem, Israel. Contact: Secretariat, 8th International Symposium on the Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms, GIM98, PO Box 50006, Tel Aviv 61500, Israel. Tel: + (9723) 5140014. Fax: + (9723) 5175674/514007.

9-14 August 1998

8th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Contact: Meeting Planners, Ardenne International Inc., Suite 444, World Trade & Conference Centre, 1800 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3N8. Tel: +1902 492 8000. Fax: +1902 423 2143. E-mail: ardenne@fox. nstn.ca. Web site: http://dragon.acadiau.ca/~cbell/isme8.html.

23-28 August 1998

SIXTH INTERNATIONAL MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS (IMC6), Jerusalem, Israel. Contact: Secretariat, IMC6, PO Box 50006, Tel Aviv 61500, Israel.

21-25 September 1999

XlIIth CONGRESS OF EUROPEAN MYCOLOGISTS, Alcala de Henares Madrid, Spain. Contact: Dr R. Galan, Dpto. de Biologia Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Fax: +341 885 5066. E-mail: BVMHF@JARIFA.ALCALA.ES.

MILENNIUM MEETING

3-8 September 2000

BIOTECHNOLOGY 2000; 11th International Biotechnology Symposium & Exhibition, Berlin, Germany. Contact: DECHEMA e.v. c/o 11th lBS, Theodor-Heurs-Allee 25, D-60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

BIOLINE PUBLICATIONS, the scientists' publisher, has over 30 Biological Journals now available online plus Reports, Newsletters, Bulletin Board, Mail, Suppliers' Database and HYPERTEXT LINKS both to related sites and to data-bases from papers. URL is http://bioline.bdt.org.br E-mail is

bio@biostrat.demon.co.uk

FEMS OFFICERS

President Dr. Cesar Nombela, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientfficas, Serrano, 117, 28006 Madrid, Espana. Tel/Fax: +341 585 5053 E-mail: Nombela@Fresno.CSIC.ES

Vice President Dr. R. Auckenthaler, Laboratoire Central de Bacteriologie, Hopital Cantonal, CH1211, Geneva 4. Switzerland. Tel: +4122 372 7302 Fax: +4122 372 7304

Member at Large Dr. Milos Kocur, Tissue Bank, University Hospital, Jihlavska 20, CZ-63900 Brno, Czech Republic. Tel: +425 4321 6200/+425 4319 2366 Fax: +425 4321 6200

Secretary General Dr. Claudine Elmerich, Departement des Biotechnologies, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France. Tel: +33 1 45 68 88 17 Fax: +33 1 45 68 87 90 E-mail: elmerich@pasteur.fr

Treasurer Dr. J.R. Norris, Langlands, 10 Langley Road, Bingley, West Yorks, BD16 4AB, UK. Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1274 510301 E-mail:101553.3206@compuserve.com

Publications Manager Dr. C.A. Fewson, Publications Office, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland. Tel: +44 (0)141 339 8855; +44 (0)141 307 8007 (direct line) Fax: +44 (0)141 330 4758 E-mail:gbee01@udcf.gla.ac.uk

Meetings Secretary Dr. R.G. Board, 1 Northleigh, Bradford on Avon, Wilts. BA15 2RG, UK. Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1225 863387

MEMBERS SOCIETIES and FEMS Delegates

AUSTRIA

Oesterreichische Gesellschaft fur Hygiene Mikrobiologie und Praventivmedizin

Dr. Getold Stanek, Hygiene-Institut der Universitat, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1095 Wien.
Tel: +431404 90-226 Fax: +431404 90-295

BULGARIA

Union of Scientists in Bulgaria (USB) Bulgarian Society for Microbiologly

Dr. S. Neytcheff, Oborishte Str. 35, BG 1504 Bulgaria.
Tel: + 359 243 0128 Fax: +359 244 1590

CROATIA

Groation Microbiological Society Dr. D. Hajsig, PLIVA, Animal Health Division, Ulica Grada Vukovara 49 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Tel: +3851 6112681 Fax: +3851 6115668

CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLICS

Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology Dr. L. Ebringer, Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology, Odborarske nam 5, 81107 Slovak Republic.
Tel: 00427 5267476 Fax: 00427 214902

DENMARK

Danish Society for Microbioloqy Dr. Peter Westerman, Dept. of General Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Solvgade 83H, DK-1307 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Tel: +453532 2046 Fax: +453532 2040 E-mail:pew@mermaid.mol.bio.kv. dk

ESTONIA

Estonian Society for Microbiology Dr. Tiina Alamae, Estonian Society for Microbiology, Riia 23 EE2400 Tartu, Estonia.
Tel: +372 7 420223 Fax: +3727 420286 E-mail: talamae@ebc.ee

FINLAND

Societas Biochemica, Biophysica et Microbiologica Fenniae Prof. Kielo Haahtela, Dept. of Biosciences, Division of General Microbiology, PO Box 56 (Vilkinaari 5) FIN00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +3589 708 59258 Fax: +3589 708 59262
email: Kielo.Haahtela@Helsinki.FI

FRANCE

Societe Francaisc de Microbiologic Dr. R Boiron, Department of Bacteriology-MycoIogy, Unit of Mycology, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Codex 15, France.
Tel: 331 40 61 32 55 Fax: 331 45 68 84 20 E-maikpboiron.b@pasteur.fr.

FYR MACEDONIA

Macedonian Microbiological Society Dr. Nikola Panovski, Kliment Ohridski 23/13, 91000 Skopje, FYR 01 Macedonia.
Tel: 389 91 237 954 Fax: 389 91 111 828

GERMANY

Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Hygiene und Mikrobiologie
Dr. K.H. Schleifer, Lehrstuhl fur Mikroblologie, Technische Universitat Munchen, Arcisstrasse 21, D80290 Munchen, Germany.
Tel: +4989 2892-2377+-2375 Fax: +4989 28922360+-2000 E-mail:schleife@mbitum2.biol.chemie.tu-muenchen.de

Vereinigung fur Allgemeine und Angewandte

Dr Bernhard Schink, Fakultat fur Biologic, Universitat Konstanz, PO Box 5560, D-78434 Konstanz, Germany Tel: +49 7531 882140 Fax: +49 7531 882966
e-mail: bernhard.schink@uni-Konstanz.de

GREECE

Hellenic Society for Microbiology Dr. U. Marcelou-Kinti, Athens School of Hygiene, Leoforos Alexandros 196, Athens 602. Fax: +30 1 7246180

HUNGARY

Hungarian Society for Microbiology Dr. Janos Minarovits, Microbiological Research Group, National Institute of Hygiene, Pihenou. 1., H1 529 Budapest.
Tel: 36(1) 176-0044 Fax: 36(1) 176-0409
E-mail: mini@microbi.hu.

ICELAND

W.R Holbrook, University of Iceland, Faculty of Odontology, Vatnsmyrarvegi 16, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
Tel: +354 525 4850 Fax: +354 525 4874 E-mail: phol@rhi.hi.is.

ISRAEL

Israel Society for Microbiology

Dr, Eliora Ron, Dept. of Molecular Microbiology & Biotechnology. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

69978.
Tel: +9723 6409379 Fax: +9723 6414138 E-mail:
eliora@post.tau.ac.il.

ITALY

Associazone Microbiologi Clinici Italiani Dr. Antonio Goglio, via Carlo Farini 70, I-20159, Milano, Italy.
Tel: +3926680 1190

Societa Itallana de Microbiologia Dr. N. Orsi, Universita di Roma, "La Sapienza" 1 Cattedra di Microbiologia, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 100185 Roma.
Tel: +396 4958371 Fax: +396 49914626

Societa Italiana di Microbiologia General e Biotecnologie Microbiche
Dr. G. Lancini, Lopetit Research Center, Via R. Lopetit, 34, 1-21040 Gerenzano (VA).
Tel: +392 964741 Fax: +392 96474400

LITHUANIA

Lithuanian Society of Medical Microbiologists Dr. Alvydas Pavilonis, Dept. of Microbiology, Kaunas Medical Academy, Mickevibiaus 9, 3000 Kaunas Lithuania.
Tel: +3707 732523 Fax: +370722 0733

NETHERLANDS

Nederlandse Vereniging voor Microbiologic Dr. W.A. Scheftors, Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology & Materials Science Kluyver Laboratory of Biotechnology Julianaiaan 67, BC Delft. NL 26.28.
Tel: +31 152782411 Fax: +31 152782355

NORWAY

Norwegian Society for Microbiology
Dr. Tone Tonjum, Institute of Microbiology, Rikshospitalet (National Hospital), N-0027 Oslo Norway.
Tel: +472286 9487 Fax: +472274 1596 E-mail: tone.tonjum@rh.uio.no or tone.tonjum@loks.uio.no

POLAND

Polish Microbiological Society Dr. Waleria Hryniewicz, Serum and Vaccine Research Laboratory, 30-34 Chelmska Street, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland.
Tel: +48 22 412949; 413367

PORTUGAL

Sociedad Portugesa de Microbiologia Dr. Milton S. da Costa, Departamento de Bioquimica, Apt. 3126, Universidade de Coimbra, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal
Tel: +35139 24024 Fax: +35139 26798
E-mail Milton@cygnus.ci.uc.pt

RUSSIA

Russian Microbiological Society Dr. Vladimir V. Ignatov, Institute of Biochemistry & Physiology of Plants & Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Entuziastov pr. 13, Saratov 410601, Russia.
Tel: +78452 443828 Fax: +78452 240446
E-mail: via RELCOM Network root@ibppm.saratov.su

SLOVENIA

The Microbiological Society of Slovenia Dr. Peter Raspor, Biotechnical Faculty, Food Science & Technology Department, Jamnikarjeva 101,61000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Tel: +3861 123 1161 Fax: +3861 274092
E-mail: peter.raspor@uni-lj.si

SPAIN

Sociedad Espanola de Microbiologia Dr. J.A. Leal Ojeda, Centro Investigaciones Biologicas, Velazquez, 144, 28006, Madrid.
Tel: +341 561 1800 Ext: 4438 Fax: +341 562 7518

SWEDEN

Swedish Society for Microbiology Dr. Hans-Borje Jannson, Department of Microbial Ecology, Lund University Ecology Building, S-22362 Lund, Sweden.
Tel: +4646 222 9614 Fax: +4646 222 4158 E-mail:Hans-Borje.Jannson@Mbioekol.lu.se

SWITZERLAND

Swiss Microbiological Society Dr. R. Braun, Institute of General Microbiology, University of Bern, Baltzer-Strasse 4, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
Tel: +4131 631 4652 Fax: +4131 631 4684 E-mail: rbraun@imb.unibe.ch

TURKEY

Turk Mikroblyoloji Cemiyeti Dr. O. Ang, R K. 57, Beyazit 34492, Istanbul. Tel/Fax: 0090 212 635 2582

UNITED KINGDOM

Society for Applied Bacteriology Dr. R.A. Herbert, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD14HN, Scotland. Tel: +44 (0)1382 344262 Fax: +44 (0)1382 322318 E-mail:R.A.Herbert@dundee.ac.uk

Society for General Microbiology Dr. J.W. Almond, School of Animal & Microbial Sciences, White Knights, University of Reading, PO Box 228, Reading RG6 6A J, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)118 931 8902 Fax: +44 (0)118 931 6671 E-mail:J.W.Almond@reading.ac.uk

British Mycological Society Dr. J.E Peberdy, Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2FID, UK. Tel: +44 (0)115 951 3231 Fax: +44 (0)115 951 3253 E-mail: PLZJFP@p1n1.life.nottingham.ac.uk.

Association of Medical Microbiologists Dr. D.S. Tompkins, Public Health Department, Bridle Path, York Road, Leeds LS15 7TR, UK.
Tel: +01132645011 Fax: +01132603655

Association of Clinical Microbiologists Dr. B Holmes, NCTC, Public Health Laboratories, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)181 200 4400 Fax: +44 (0)181 205 7483

YUGOSLAVIA

Yugoslav Society for Microbiology Dr. Vera Katid, Veterinary Faculty, Bulevar JNA 18, YU-11000, Belgrade.
Tel: +38111685653 Fax: +38111685936

AFFILIATED SOCIETY

UK Society for Anaerobic Microbiology Dr. J.S. Brazier, Anaerobe Reference Unit, Public Health Laboratory, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XW, Wales.
Tel: +44 (0)1222 742378 Fax: +44 (0)1222 744123 E-mail: WMMJSB@Cardiff.ac.uk