In current thinking, Bioorganic Chemistry may be defined as the area of chemistry which lies in the border region between organic chemistry and biology and which describes and analyzes biological phenomena in terms of detailed molecular structures and molecular mechanisms. This molecular-level view of biological processes is not only essential to their fuller understanding but also serves as the platform for the application of the principles of such processes to areas of health care and technology. The objective of the ASI workshop on " Bioorganic Chemistry in Healthcare and Technology", held in the Hengelhoef Congress Centre in Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium, from September 18-21, 1990, was to bring together most of the international experts in the field to discuss the current developments and new trends in bioorganic chemistry, especially in relation to the selected theme. The book presents nineteen invited plenary and session lectures and eighteen posters. These cover areas of (i) molecular design of therapeutic and agronomical agents based npon mechanistic rationale or drug-receptor interactions, (ii) production of substances of commercial value via combined organic chemical and bio-chemical methodologies, (iii) fundamental studies on the molecular mechanisms of enzymes and (iv) the evolution of conceptually new molecular systems which are programmed to execute specific recognition and/or catalytic functions. An abstracted version of the plenary discussion held at the end of the workshop is also included. We feel confident that the subject matter of this book will be of interest to a broad group of chemists engaged in academic or industrial research.
