5 th
International
IUPAC Symposium on Bioorganic Chemistry (ISBOC-5)
30 January-4 February 2000
Pune, India
This
symposium was accompanied by a pre-symposium in Delhi on "Trends
in medicinal chemistry and bio-catalysis" and a post-symposium
in Bangalore on "Recent trends in bioorganic chemistry".
About 350 participants, many of whom came from outside India, attended
the meeting in Pune. In total, 18 foreign countries were represented.
The organizers had especially encouraged the participation
of young Indian chemists, and the success of this objective was very
much in evidence during the meeting. The scientific program comprised
13 plenary lectures (some of which will appear in a future issue of
Pure and Applied Chemistry), 38 invited lectures, 30 short
presentations, and 115 posters, with emphasis on nucleic acids, nucleic
acid components, peptides, proteins, enzymes, and designed synthetic
receptors. The presentations illustrated the current role of bioorganic
concepts in the interpretation of biological phenomena at the molecular
level. Attention was also directed to the practical potential of this
molecular-based approach. Several speakers made the point that organic
chemistry constitutes a crucial component of the broader field of
biomolecular chemistry. This view echoes the recent decision of IUPAC
to expand the task and responsibilities of its Division of Organic
Chemistry in the biomolecular area. Lecture presentations at the symposium
were of uniformly high standard. In addition, the meeting featured
a large number of good-quality posters presented by young local chemists.
These presentations demonstrated the vitality of Indian chemistry
in general and the high level of interest in the field of bioorganic
chemistry, in particular.
The symposium facilities were of excellent quality.
All events, except for a half-day session, were organized in a luxurious
hotel. This venue provided a practical opportunity for scientific
interaction in a congenial environment. An interesting social program
was arranged, and the participants were extended the traditional generous
Indian hospitality. ISBOC-5 demonstrated the dynamic quality of the
field of bioorganic chemistry and its significant contribution to
the understanding of the molecular basis of the biological sciences.
Prof. Upendra K. Pandit
Titular Member and
Past President, IUPAC Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Division
(III)
Universiteit van Amsterdam