L. Ernster – författare

This book summarises current knowledge of the structure, function,biosynthesis and regulation of energy-transducing enzymes inmitochondria, chloroplasts and bacteria. Each of the twenty chapters is written by top experts in their field, and Prof. Ernster has ensured that the book as a whole gives a well-integrated picture of the present state of knowledge of the field at its different levels and complexities. Since the publication of Bioenergetics edited by Lars Ernster in 1984, (New Comprehensive Biochemistry Vol. 9) the whole field of bioenergetics has undergone a tremendous expansion. Additionally a transition from membrane bioenergetics to molecular bioenergetics has accompanied this expansion - due mainly to the spectacular progress in the field of molecular biology over the past twenty years.Hence this volume, Molecular Mechanisms in Bioenergetics, is certain to be of interest, not only to the specialist in bioenergetics, but also to researchers working in the various fields of biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology and physiology. Also of interest, this volume contains an historical introduction, including a list of earlier publications relating to the history of bioenergetics.

This volume is based on the proceedings of an International Symposium on "Cytochrome Systems: Molecular Biology and Bioenergetics" that was held at Selva di Fasano near Bari, Italy, between April 7 and 11,1987. It contains papers covering the subjects discussed at the Symposium, contributed both by participants of the meeting and by some invited speakers who were not able to attend. The aim of the Symposium was to bring together experts in various rese­ arch strategies currently being applied to the study of cytochrome systems, including molecular genetics, protein chemistry, enzymology of electron transfer and protonmotive activity in energy-transducing biological mem­ branes. Because of the high degree of complexity of cytochrome systems and the increasing sophistication in recent years of the different experimen­ tal approaches, there has been a growing specialization - sometimes even a tendency to "over-specialization" - among scientists working in this field. This in itself seemed to justify a meeting where representatives of various disciplines could exchange their results and discuss their conclusions. In addition, and perhaps even more importantly, it was felt that meetings of this kind provide an opportunity for a "cross-fertilization" of approaches and ideas among representatives of various fields of science. The present meeting proved to be an ample illustration of the success of such an inter­ action.