PREFACE 



The past ten years have witnessed a rapidly increasing tempo of 

 research on bacterial photosynthesis. This is perhaps attributable, in 

 part, to the fact that modern developments in microbiology and bio- 

 chemistry have demonstrated the potential advantages of using bacteria 

 as the source of experimental systems for investigation of numerous 

 basic biological phenomena. The relatively large, and possibly unique, 

 range of metabolic capacities shown by the photosynthetic bacteria 

 has added to their appeal for such studies. There is little doubt, how- 

 ever, that the main stimulus for closer scrutiny of these organisms 

 stems from the desire to understand the "comparative biochemistry" 

 of photosynthesis in greater depth. Although considerable evidence has 

 accumulated showing close similarities between green plant and bac- 

 terial photosynthesis, investigators have long been intrigued with the 

 reasons for, and possible implications of, the differences observed 

 between the two processes. Indeed, when a fundamental research ad- 

 vance is made with either type of photosynthetic system, pertinent 

 reexamination of the other soon follows. This pattern of cross- 

 checking, which has become more prominent in recent years, has 

 unquestionably facilitated progress in elucidation of the mysteries of 

 photosynthesis. 



In the past, however, symposia on this important topic have been 

 concerned primarily with green plant systems and only secondarily 

 with photosynthetic bacteria. This realization and the conviction that 

 an up-to-date review of the problem would stimulate further progress 

 led to organization of the present symposium, devoted exclusively to 

 the bacterial process. Inevitably, we were faced with the usual dilem- 

 mas posed by the attempt to arrange a meeting at which all investiga- 

 tors actively working in the field would be present and able to ex- 

 change ideas and viewpoints freely under informal circumstances. It 

 is our hope that any shortcomings in this respect will be ameliorated 

 by our efforts to make the proceedings of the symposium available to 

 the scientific community at the earliest possible time. 



A number of animated controversies developed during the course of 

 the meeting and this we interpret as one of the signs of its success. 

 Groups of participants directly interested in the debated questions met 

 informally, as time permitted, with the aim of resolving basic issues. 

 Our deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Martin Kamen who undertook the 

 formidable task of presenting their conclusions to the symposium 

 audience during his summarizing remarks. 



