edited by C Taddei-Ferretti (Istituto di Cibernetica, Italy) & P Marotta (Université Louis Pasteur & Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici, Italy)

High dilution effects constitute a major problem on the frontier of biophysics. The reported effects on simple and complex biological systems range from in vitro and in vivo models to cellular metabolism regulation, the immune system, the nervous system, intoxicated organs and organisms, and developmental models. The physical properties of high dilutions have been considered, such as the organization properties of water molecules in the presence and after the presence of solute molecules, the energy characteristics of empty and full water clusters, and their dynamical interactions with proteins. Among the mechanisms responsible for the high dilution effects, a non-molecular transfer of information has been hypothesized.

• Introductory Lecture:
  • Basic Research on High Dilution Effects (M Bastide)
• Biophysical Aspects:
  • Hormesis (M Oberbaum)
  • Effects of Metal High Dilutions on Cells and Integrated Systems (J Cambar et al.)
  • Stimulation of Self-Recovery by the Application of Low Doses. Studies with Cells (R Van Wijk & F A C Wiegant)
• Clinical Evidences:
  • Water and the Diagnosis and Treatment of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (C W Smith)
  • Membrane Antioxidants. Mechanism of Action of Antioxidants in Ultra-Low Doses (E B Burlakova)
  • High Dilution Effects of Strychnos Nuxvomica L on Hypothalamic Neurons and Andrenergic Nerve Endings of Alcoholic Rats (N C Sukul et al.)
• Structure and Communication:
  • Nonlinear Effects at Low Levels of Signal Intensities and Biocommunication (F A Popp)
  • Structure-Function Properties of Water Clusters in Proteins (D Arad)
  • Experimental Detection of the Existence of Structures in High Dilutions (G S Anagnostatos)
  • and other papers