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was also considered necessary to raise the tuition fees, which are currently very low, in the Pakistani universities. This would be a source for the promot ion of effective student participation in the learning process, in addition to generating funds for improving institutional facilities.

Wednesday, 7 April, 1993 The morning session was devoted to two presentations by Prof Wilson. The first of these was a scientific talk on the research done in his laboratory on the biochemistry and molecular biology of cellulases of Thermomonospora fusca. In his comprehensive presentation Prof Wilson demonst ra ted the use of a variety of techniques in the purification and characterisation of T fusca cellulases, cloning of the genes coding for these enzymes and the studies done so far on the crystal structure elucidation of one of the cellulases. The data presented allowed the determinat ion of the three-dimensional structure of the enzymes using X-ray crystallography and isomorphous replacement to give resolution at 1.8 ,~.

The second talk of Prof Wilson related to the various aspects of writing a research proposal in biochemical sciences. He pointed out a variety of factors which will contribute in writing a successful research grant proposal. Among the various issues he touched upon were ident- ification of the funding agency, a well written project highlighting the unique ideas and the benefits to be obtained, description of the current state of knowledge and the extension in knowledge the research was likely to make , a concise and well focussed objectives concentrat- ing only on the achievable targets, and a well laid out work plan suppor ted by references. He also pointed out that a joint grant have a bet ter chance of funding and it can be useful by applying to more than one agencies rather than just one. The presentat ion was followed by a keen and lengthy discussion, in which nearly all the members present showed keen interest and participated.

The evening session of the day was devoted to scientific presentat ions by some of the participating scientists. Dr Wajahat Hussain, Dr Farooq Latif, Dr Atiya Abbasi , Dr Abdul Qadeer and Tariq Mahmood presented their research followed by discussions.

Professor de Meis addressing the meeting

The participants

Thursday 8 April, 1993 A concluding session, presided over by the Federal Minister for Education, Government of Pakistan was held in the morning. The activities of the workshop held over the last four days were reviewed by Prof Akhtar . Views of different participants on the organization and achieve- ments of the Workshop were presented. Prof M I D Chughtai , President, Pakistan Society of Biochemists thanked the participants and IUBMB and other agencies who contributed in holding this Workshop. Prof Ataur Rahman and Prof Zaidi also expressed their views emphasizing the need to strengthen teaching and research in biochemical sciences in the country. Prof de Meis described the new programmes of the Education Com- mittee of the I U B M B and offered its support for similar p rogrammes in future. The Federal Minister for Edu- cation in his concluding remarks stated that the Pakistan Governmen t was keen in promoting higher education and science in the country. He appreciated the efforts of the organizers of the Workshop and thanked the IUBMB and other agencies in supporting this scientific activity.

Book Review in Brief

Cellular Interactions and Immunobiology

B I O T O L Project. pp 203. But terworth-Heinemann, London. £19.95. 1993 ISBN 0-7506-0564-2

The BIOTOL books are now well known to aid in self-study. This volume is a compilation of eight chapters, all written by L S English. The author attempts to explain clearly the nature of immunity, structural and functional aspects of antibodies, molecular genetics of antibodies and the mechanisms of antibody production. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I am sure a trainee who needs to revise the subject would find it a very useful break from the drudgery of normal text books. To a clinical student it might be particularly helpful during the period between written and oral examinations when conventional revisions often prove difficult.

Though entitled lmmunobiology, it is devoid of topics such as the notorious HIV infection and other immunodeficiency syndromes. Phagocytosis and bacterial killing are also not dealt with by the author. In keeping with the format of the series, the book has SAQs, summary and objectives on each chapter.

C V Anand

BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 22(3) 1994