The Chemical Engineering Journal, 56 (1994) v

Preface

February 1995 sees two major gatherings of biotechnologists. Firstly at the 4th Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference (to be held in Melbourne, Australia, on 6-9 February) and just a week or so later at the 7th European Congress on Biotechnology (Nice, France, 19-23 February). Amongst those present at these meetings will be considerable numbers of biochemical engineers. This special issue of The Biochemical Engineering JournuZ has been compiled to commemorate both occasions.

The stated aim of the Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference series has been “to establish regional networks, to develop more meaningful cooperation, and to provide a forum for the recognition of opportunities, in both the technology and the business of biotechnology, for the benefit of the peoples of this region and beyond”. The aims of the European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB) are, no doubt, very similar. ECB-7, however, has been organised to coincide with the 100th anniversary celebrations of Louis Pasteur’s death. This, as the organisers state, offers “the opportunity to demonstrate that biotechnology is not just the result of a temporary enthusiasm but one of the most serious and constant concerns of our time”.

No particular theme has been set for this Biochemical Engineti~ Journal special issue and papers covering a wide range of biotechnological and biochemical engineering aspects have been included. In this way it is hoped that the broad role that biochemical engineers play in the field of biotechnology will become apparent.

In bringing together the papers presented in this special issue I have called heavily upon the assistance of a colleague, Paul0 Rodrigues. His editorial input is gratefully acknowledged, without it we may have been looking at ECB-8 for the special issue!

Professor Colin Webb Editor BEJ

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