Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 March 2009
From the results of X-ray crystallography a wealth of information is now available concerning the detailed molecular structure of proteins, nucleic acids, and membrane components. This has made it possible to apply successfully various spectroscopie techniques for time resolved studies as well as theoretical simulations of internal molecular dynamics in the biological macromolecules and molecular aggregates. We were particularly pleased to see professor Ivar Waller among the participants of the workshop since new use of the wellknown Debye–Waller factor has greatly contributed to this development. A molecular picture is presently emerging including the dimension of time which ultimately will give us a detailed understanding of the functional interactions between biomolecules in general, and in particular enzyme catalysis, nucleic acid functions, and transport of matter and information through membranes.