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Thisisthe?rstissueofanewjournaloftheLNCSjournalsubline.Theaimofthe journal is to encourage inter- and multidisciplinary research in the?elds of c- puter science and life sciences. The recent paradigmatic shift in biology towards a system view of biological phenomena requires a corresponding paradigmatic shift in the techniques from computer science that can face the new challenges. Classical tools usually used in bioinformatics are no longer up to date and new ideas are needed. The convergence of sciences and technologies we are experiencing these days is changing the classical terms of reference for research activities. In fact clear distinctions between disciplines no longer exist because advances in one?eld permit advances in others and vice versa, thus establishing a positive feedback loop between sciences. The potential impact of the convergence of sciences and technologies is so huge that we must consider how to control and correctly drive our future activities. International and national funding agencies are looking at interdisciplinary research as a key issue for the coming years, especially in the intersection of life sciences and information technology. To speed up this process, we surely need to establish relationships between researchers of di?erent communities and to de?ne a common language that will allow them to exchange ideas and - sults. Furthermore, expectations of di?erent communities can be merged only by running activities like common projects and experiences. TheTransactionsonComputationalSystemsBiologycouldbeagoodforumto helplifescientistsandcomputerscientiststodiscusstogethertheircommongoals.

Advances in Physical Organic Chemistry provides the chemical community with authoritative and critical assessments of the many aspects of physical organic chemistry. The field is a rapidly developing one, with results and methodologies finding application from biology to solid state physics.

In an ever-increasing domain of activity Amino Acids Peptides and Proteins provides an annual compilation of the world's research effort into this important area of biological chemistry. Volume 30 provides a review of literature published during 1997. Comprising a comprehensive review of significant developments at this biology/chemistry interface each volume opens with an overview of amino acids and their applications. Work on peptides is reviewed over several chapters ranging from current trends in their synthesis and conformational and structural analysis to peptidomimetics and the discovery of peptide-related molecules in nature. The application of advanced techniques in structural elucidation is incorporated into all chapters whilst periodic chapters on metal complexes of amino acids, peptides and beta-lactams extend the scope of coverage. Efficient searching of specialist topics is facilitated by the sub-division of chapters into discrete subject areas allowing annual trends to be monitored. All researchers in the pharmaceutical and allied industries and at the biology/chemistry interface in academia will find this an indispensable reference source.