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indicated no extensive similarity to those of other ionic channels, membrane transporters and receptors of known sequence. The cGMP-gated channel ln olfactory cells is gated not only by cGMP, but also by CAMP ln contrast with the photoreceptor channel which is specific to cGMP. It is of interest to see to what extent the amino-acid sequence of the channel ls conserved ln the two sensory systems.

S. KAWAMURA, Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

FOCUS ON PHOTOBIOLOGY LABORATORIES

Photobiology in Barcelona, Spain

Research ln different fields of photobiology is being carried out at several laboratories ln Barcelona. These laboratories fall into one of three groups: either they are ln Organic Chemistry departments (Departament de Qulmica Organica, Universitat de Barcelona; Institut Quimic Sarria; Departament de Qufmica Organma, Universitat Autbnoma de Barcelona) and the emphasis is ln preparative, analytical and physico-chemical aspects of photobiology, or in Dermatology departments (Departament de Dermatologia, Hospital Clinic Provincial de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona; Servei de Dermatologia, Hospital Sant Pau, Universitat Autbnoma de Barcelona; Hospital Sagrat Cor, Barcelona), where the emphasis is on medical aspects. The third group is concerned either with biological (Departament de Fisiologia Vegetal, Universitat de Barcelona) or more physical aspects (Departament de Ffsica de l’Atmosfera, Unlversitat de Barcelona) of photobiology.

The oldest of the organic groups was initiated ln 1976 by Prof. J. M. Rib6 ln the Departament de Quimica Organica, Universitat de Barcelona, and since then it has focused mainly on the chemical reactivity of linear di- and tetrapyrroles and its biological and medical implications. Drs. Trull and Valles are younger staff members of this group. Both obtained Ph.D.s with Prof. Rib6 and have specialized ln different aspects of photobiology. Dr. Trull has collaborated with Profs. Lightner (University of Nevada, U.S.A.) and A. F. McDonagh (Liver Center, San Francisco, U.S.A.) on the phototherapy of neonatal jaundice. More recently, he has become involved with the study of ‘0s photosensitization by polymer-bound porphyrins and phtha- locyanlnes, a project ln which Prof. Rib6, and more recently Dr. Nonell (vti irlF_a) and Prof. S. E. Braslavsky (Miilheim an der Ruhr, F.R.G.) have also participated. Dr. M. A. Valles has in recent years collaborated with Prof. R. Bonnett (Queen Mary College, London, U.K.). She is presently initiating a project with Profs. R. Bonnett and M. C. Berenbaum (University of London) on the preparation and use of porphyrin photosensitizers for the detection and therapy of tumors. This research group also includes 6-8 non-staff members and graduate students: the techniques and apparatus available are those typical of an organic chemistry department and include HPLC, NMR, IR, MS, UV-Vll and fluorescence spectroscopy, together with some conventional photochemlcal equipment. The group is open to possible exchange programs or collaborations with other laboratories interested ln its preparative and analytical techniques. Funding of the group comes mainly from the Spanish Science Foundation (CICYT) and its Catalan counterpart (CIRIT), and for the international program, from NATO and the EC. No contacts with hospitals or industries have yet been established.

Dr. S. Nonell has recently taken on an academic position at the Institut Qufmlc Sarrla of Barcelona. He studied for his Ph.D. with Prof. S. E. Braslavsky in Miilhelm an der Ruhr (F.R.G.) on the photosensitized production and physico-chemical properties of singlet molecular oxygen ln systems of biological importance. He has characterized the photophysical properties of dyes such as porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and porphycenes ln homogeneous and mlcroheterogeneous media. He is currently interested in the development of new sensitizers for the photodynamic thrapy of tumors and collaborates with the Mtilhelm and Barcelona groups (vti supru).

Dr. J. Marquet, Departament de Qulmica Organica, Universitat Autbnoma de Barcelona, has been involved for some years in the study of the mechanistic variety and practical applications of S&r* reactions, mainly of nitrophenyl ether derivatives. The development of practical applications for these photoreactions have led to the design of new biochemical

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photoprobes with improved thermal stability and global photoreactivity. In further research, the synthesis of photocross-linking reagents bearing these photoprobes has been undertaken. Promising specific DNA-protein photocross-linkers are currently undergoing biochemical testing.

Since 1967, the Departament de Dermatologia, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona has developed special interests in various aspects of photobiology. The 5rst research line was established by Prof. Pmol, the former department director, in the field of porphyrias. Several studies have been carried out, particularly in the field of uroporphyrinogendecarboxylase enzyme deficiencies, in cooperation with the Department of Medical Biochemistry in Cardiif (Prof. G. Elder). A new disorder has been described - Hepatoerythropoietic Porphyria - and further studies have followed on the group of disorders related to uroporphyrlnogendecarbrbolcylase de5ciency, with grants from the Spanish National Health Service (CICYT and FIS). The second line of research includes different aspects of photodermatology: idiopatic photodermatosis (Polymorphous Light Eruption and Solar Urticaria), adverse effects of phototochemotherapy and photocarcinogenesis (research grant from FIS). The research team is formed by Prof. Mascara, and Drs. Lecha, Torras, Herrero, Azon, Al&a, Muniesa and Gibert. The laboratory apparatus include those of the biochemistry laboratory with chromatography and HPLC, toghether with immunohistochemistry, a photobiology unit with solar light simulator, W-B and W-A light sources, and phototherapy and photochemotherapy units.

At the Departament de Fisiologia Vegetal, Universitat de Barcelona, Prof. Caballero and Drs. Aacon-Bieto, Araus, Alegre and Tapia have concentrated mainly on photosynthetic gas exchanges and physiology at subcellular, cellular and intact tissue levels. In the same department, Dr. E. Simon is studying phytochrome photoresponses.

The author wishes to thank all those who have submitted the information summarized in this report.

F. R. TRULL, Departament de Quimica Organica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Ph.D. IN PHOTOBIOLOGY

Miss Safa Baydoun has been awarded the degree of Ph.D. by the University of London. The title of her thesis is “Action Spectra and Chromophores for Lethal Photosensitization of Candida albicans by DNA Photoadducts with 8-Methoxypsoralen and Monofunctional Fu- rocoumarins”.

PHOTOBIOLOGY MEETINGS

1990

2nd International Symposium on Molecular and Physiological Aspects of Plant Pe- roxidases

The University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland, August 27-29, 1990 (additional information in Newsletter No. 16).

International Conference on Laser Applications in Life Sciences Moscow State University, Moscow, U.S.S.R., August 27-31, 1990 (additional information

in Newsletter No. 16).

Biophysics of Photoreceptors and Photomovements in Microorganisms A NATO Advanced Study Institute, Tirrenia (Piss), Italy, September 16-28, 1990 (additional

information in Newsletter No. 16).