Radio Science Bulletin 313 - June 2005 - URSI

financial and logistics issues connected to such a meeting.Buresova (Czech Republic) provided the participants withmore information about the Institute of Atmospheric Physicsin Prague, the venue for the 2007 IRI workshop. Possibledates were discussed including a coupling to the IUGGmeeting in Perugia, Italy, from July 2 to 13, 2007.Prof. C.K. Chao from the Institute of Space Science ofthe National Central University in Chang-Li, Taiwan waselected as new member to the IRI Working Group.Dieter BilitzaE-mail: bilitza@pop600.gsfc.nasa.govINTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON COHERENCE ANDELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS(CEFBIOS 2005)Prague, Czech Republic, 1 - 4 July 2005The symposium organized as the Fröhlich centenarysymposium was a tribute to Professor H. Fröhlich, theoutstanding scientific personality, one of the great physicistsof the 20th century. He formulated many concepts ofmodern theoretical physics. We have to mention introductionof the methods of quantum field theory into Solid StatePhysics (in particular in the theory of dielectrics included inthe book “Theory of Dielectrics”), fundamental contributionto the theory of superconductivity based on formulation ofa hitherto unrecognized aspect of the electron-phononinteraction, and the meson theory of nuclear forces. Heintroduced a concept of coherence into biology. From thepoint of view of physics, living systems are highly nonlinearopen dissipative systems with remarkable dielectricproperties, which are held far from thermal equilibrium bytheir metabolic activity. The lowest frequency mode of alongitudinal electric polarization field becomes stronglyexcited creating macroscopic coherent excitations, whichare stabilised through elastic deformations. Polarizationwaves can generate electromagnetic fields in biologicalstructures. Dr. G.J. Hyland paid tribute to H. Fröhlich andpresented the centenary lecture in Carolinum, the ancientceremonial building of the Charles University.The highlights of the symposium were the following:coherence and electromagnetism in biological systems,interaction of biological systems with externalelectromagnetic fields, and medical applications ofelectromagnetic fields.The fundamental quantum mechanical problems ofthe macroscopic living and non-living, superposition ofaggregates, and coherence (H.-P. Dürr) and description ofa living system in terms of quantum electrodynamics by adensity matrix of individual wave functions (E. Del Giudice)were presented. Endogenous electromagnetic field has anessential role in living systems (A.R. Liboff). Microtubulesin eucaryotic cells are electrically polar polymers withextraordinary elastic deformability and with high energysupply and their structures satisfy conditions for excitationof the Fröhlich’s coherent states and generation ofendogenous electromagnetic field (J. Pokorný et al.). Effectof different modalities of energy supply to the Fröhlichmodes on behavior of the coherent system was analysed (F.Šrobár). Properties of microtubules can be understood byobservation of movement of microtubules in constant andin alternating electric fields (E. Unger et al.). Unidirectionalpropagation of the kink excitation along the microtubulecan explain dynamic instability phenomenon and elucidatethe unidirectional transport mediated by motor proteins(M.V. Satariæ). A system made of an ensemble of yeastcells can be a good prototype of the concept of coherence(M. Milani et al.). Solitons in protein á helix can generateendogenous electromagnetic field of characteristicfrequencies leading to synchronization of charge transportprocesses (L.S. Brizhik, A.A. Eremko).Model of neuroactivity can be provided by the fieldtheory from condensed matter physics (G. Vitiello).Perturbations generated by the C-termini interactions withcounter-ions surrounding a MAP2 (microtubule associatedprotein 2) may propagate in brain over distances greaterthan those between adjacent microtubules (A. Priel). Primaryrole in brain dynamic activity is played by coupling betweenelementary plasma domains (J.R. Zon). Someneurobehavioural changes caused by Mn penetrating theblood-brain barrier in rats after exposure to the magneticfield was observed (M. Vojtíšek et al.).Magnetic field 0.05 mT/50 Hz can alter the cellmediated immunity of T lymphocytes in humans (A. Jandováet al.). Magnetic fields 50 Hz up to 10 mT affect the growthand metabolic activity of different strains of bacteria (L.Strašák et al.). External magnetic field can influencebiological processes through cyclotron resonance of ions(C. Vincze et al.). Alternative form of magnetic transductioninvolving electric field ionic cyclotron resonance mayoccur within the avian optic tectum which may serve as themagnetoreceptors (K.A. Jenrow, A.R Liboff). Theory ofplasma state of ionic matter shows that small electricpotential differences can reveal the state of life andmeasurement confirms the predictions (I. Jerman et al.).Delayed luminescence generated in photosystem II withtypical hyperbolic decay in time and with more or lesspronounced peak allows simple and fast method forassessment of influence of toxic materials on plants (A.TheRadio Science Bulletin No 313 (June, 2005) 83