Summary

The goal of this symposium was to cover the various important aspects of immobilized cells and to bring together scientists from different disciplines. In view of the projected importance of the use of immobilized cells in future biotechnological processes, it is essential that a better insight into the physiology of immobilized cells is obtained. The performance of artificially immobilized cells was compared with the role immobilized cells play in nature, and both physico-chemical and physiological aspects were handled. Special attention was given to novel approaches in the study of immobilized cells since the study of such cells today is not only based on traditional cultivation experiments but also depends very much on sophisticated physico-chemical instrumentation. Since the physiological conditions of immobilized cells is becoming increasingly important, a better understanding will facilitate the prediction of behaviour of certain cells when immobilized. Furthermore, a development is foreseen towards employing various means to modulate microbial physiology in desirable directions.