Energy Conservation in Biological Membranes: 29. Colloquium, 6.-8. April 1978 (Colloquium der Gesellschaft für Biologische Chemie in Mosbach Baden, 29, Band 29)

The topic of the 29th Hosbach Colloquium Energy Transduction in Biological Membranes is one of the most formidable problems in biology. Its solu­ tion in molecular terms has proved to be a very difficult task for a whole generation of biochemists. The Mosbach Colloquia had so far not yet covered this subject. In for­ mer Mosbach Colloquia some contributions were closely related, such as the lecture by E. C. Slater on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, presented 25 years ago. A broader coverage of this subject was given in the Mosbach Colloquia on Biochemistry of Oxygen in 1968, and on Inhib­ itors: Too ls in Ce II Research in 1 969, which contained several lectures related to bioenergetics. Today progress and understanding of the energy transduction in biolog­ ical membranes had advanced to the stage where we can formulate reli­ able theories on many facets of the energy transduction process. On the other hand, the primary energy conservation steps are as contro­ versial as ever and challenge the field for an all-out effort for re­ solving these burning problems. The 29th !1osbach Colloquium has given a broad and vivid picture of this situation, illustrating the progress and also the controversial problems currently debated.