Chair: A. Lewit-Bentleyl (France), Co-chair: E. Dodson (UK)

Summary of the Discussion Meeting on "Structural biology in Central and Eastern Europe, present situation and perspectives", organised by Anita Lewit-Bentley and Eleanor Dodson and held at the European Crystallographic Meeting in Prague 18th August 1998. E.N.Baker, Introduction. E.N.Baker had set up macro-molecular crystallography in New Zealand in the 1970s, with very small resources. His outline of essentials: Most important: The desire to do it and a strong belief in the role of Structural Biology. Requirements: 1) A supportive biological community. To persuade them, start with an accessible problem: success helps a great deal with collaborators/politicians/funding agencies/potential students. 2) Good students are the best resource, they are in general helpful, innovative and enthusiastic. 3) Priorities for in-house equipment X-ray generator, crystal freezing, computing. 4) Important to maintain outside collaborations, as well as access to synchrotrons: need travel money. Situation in individual countries, presented by: M. Jaskolski for Poland; J. Sevcik for the Slovak Republic; D. Turk for Slovenia; B. Schneider for the Czech Republic; B. Kamenar for Croatia and V. Harmat for Hungary. In four of the participating countries, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, the equivalent of 400,000 - 500,000 $US had been found to set up structural biology groups. This could be the beginning of real development, if: - the general economic situation did not deteriorate; - the interest of the biological community were maintained; - the salaries of scientists were increased sufficiently in order to attract and keep young people; - the industrial sector were willing, and able to, collaborate in and finance research; - the funding of these groups, and of science in general, were guaranteed to maintain the equipment, and to attract scientists from abroad (even from western Europe). It seems unlikely that similar grants will be available in the remaining countries represented within the next few years. There is therefore a need for a regrouping and close collaboration within the east European countries on the one hand, and for continuing support by western Europe on the other hand. The experience with EC funded programmes aimed at Central and East European countries was presented by G.G. Dodson and K. Wilson for the INTAS programme and by A.Lewit-Bentley and E.Dodson for the COPERNICUS programme. The possibilities for travel, for exchange between scientists (especially young scientists), were considered most important. The discussion was centered upon: - future possibilities for collaborations and, in particular, access tu European synchrotron facilities by scientists from Eastern Europe; - possibilities of funding at present: - The UK Royal Society has an East European committee, currently chaired by G.G.Dodson, which should be approached with initiatives - NATO, Soros foundation, Howard Hughes. - The ESF can help with workshops. EMBO offers fellowships. Could the EMBL be persuaded to provide travel funds for access to synchrotrons? - can the EC be persuaded to continue funding network initiatives aimed at eastern Europe? Finally, the participants of the Microsymposium agreed to form a consortium of macromolecular crystallography groups across Central and Eastern Europe. It will be chaired by Mariusz Jaskolski from Poznan, Poland. Its aim will be to reinforce collaborations between these countries and to promote their interests within Europe.

A. Lewit-Bentley, Chair (ECM-18 report session F4)