edited by C Taddei-Ferretti (Istituto di Cibernetica, CNR, Arco Felice, Napoli, Italy)

This is the first volume of new book series on biophysics and biocybernetics, initiated by the Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici.

A main problem in biophysics is the interaction of light information with functional living structures, in order to shape the organism's behaviour. Although the processes of photoreception and phototransduction are articulated in various ways in different living beings — as it is seen in the subdivision of the topics in this volume on microorganisms, invertebrates, and vertebrates — general ways of light signal reception and transduction through light energy, i.e., photosensitive molecule interactions, could be observed. Highly sophisticated advanced techniques are employed in this research field.

• In Memory of A Borsellino and W E Reichardt:
  • Molecular Reconstitution of Photosensitive Systems (I M Pepe)
  • Analysis of Vision and Gaze Control in Insects (R Hengstenberg)
• Photoreception and Phototransduction in Microorganisms:
  • Molecular Basis of Photoreception in Photomotile Microorganisms (F Lenci et al.)
  • Light Signal Transduction in Ciliate Stentor and Blepharisma (P-S Song)
• Photoreception and Phototransduction in Invertebrates:
  • Survey of Phototransduction in Visual Cells of Invertebrates (H Stieve)
  • An Eye Specific PKC is Required for Light Adaptation in Drosophila Photoreceptors (B Minke)
• Photoreception and Phototransduction in Vertebrates:
  • Molecular Biology of Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Ion Channels (U B Kaupp)
  • The Retina, a Network from the Beginning (M Piccolino et al.)
  • and other papers