The symposium was organized by the European Society for Photobiology (ESP) and Jagiellonian University with two main organizers - Prof. Tadeusz Sarna and Prof. T.George Truscott. The cooperation between the European Society for Pigment Cell Research and the European Society for Photobiology dates from the 8^th ESPCR Meeting in Prague 1998 where the ESP prepared a special session also devoted to photoprotection. Although this time the ESPCR was not an official partner, the symposium attracted many ESPCR members, particularly to Session I.

Session I "Natural Sunscreens" was opened by Prof. P.A. Riley who presented a plenary lecture "Photoprotection: Melanin, Mechanisms & Myths". In his brilliant concise style he summarized factors involved in photoprotection, with a special emphasis on melanin properties. Simon described the structural organization of eumelanin based on atomic force microscopy measurements and discussed the role of pigment aggregation in the photogeneration of ROS (reactive oxygen species). Sarna et al. reviewed the antioxidant properties of melanin; the ability of melanin to sequester redox active metal ions and to neutralize ROS are of key importance in melanin photoprotection. Ramsden in his lecture "Mechanistic Studies of Tyrosinase Oxidation" demonstrated that tyrosinase oxidizes phenols to o-quinones in one step and not via intermediate catechols as was widely claimed. Pavel and Smit ("The Role of Melanin in Protection against UV Radiation") discussed the leakage of reactive melanin precursors and showed that these compounds could liberate iron from its ferritin stores, which could substantially increase the cytotoxic effect of UV radiation. Schallreuter ("Thioredoxin Reductase - Its Role in Epidermal Redox Status) emphasized that UVB-generated H₂O₂ in the epidermis is involved in the control of thioredoxin reductase and showed that oxidation of 6-tetrahydrobiopterin to 6-biopterin by hydrogen peroxide could lead to a cytotoxic environment for epidermal melanocytes. Leszczynski & Pastilla reported that UVA radiation enhanced metastatic properties of B16 melanoma cells probably due to an alteration in expression of adhesion molecules. Haywood & Linge spoke on thermolysis of hair melanin induced by the 694nm ruby laser. Borovansky & Elleder characterized in detail the autofluorescence of synthetic and natural eu-, pheo- and neuromelanins, which can be induced in vitro by UV and near UV-light with a production of hydrogen peroxide, associated with photodegradation of pigment structures.

The principal speaker in Session II "Commercial Sunscreens" was Prof. Urbach who gave the plenary lecture "The Historical Aspects of Sunscreens".

Session III "Dietary and Enzymic Aspects" concentrated mainly on photoprotection by dietary ß-carotene and lycopene. Picardo et al. studied the role of antioxidant enzymes in photoprotection in melanocyte cultures and in biological samples from subjects with different phototypes and from melanoma patients.

Session IV dealt with "Photoprotection of the eye". Boulton characterized photodamage to the RPE as an oxygen dependent phenomenon which involves the photoinduction of ROS from a chromophore(s) located within the RPE. He suggested that lipofuscin and not melanin is the major chromophore responsible for the ensuing cytotoxicity.

In the Poster Session Land and Riley exhibited a poster "Spontaneous Redox Reactions of Dopaquinone and the Balance between the Eumelanic and Phaeomelanic Pathways", Jastrzebska et al. contributed "Photoconductivity of Synthetic Dopa Melanin" and Smit et al. showed a poster devoted to elemental analysis of cultured melanocytes.

The symposium was partly situated in the picturesque historical buildings of the Jagiellonian University. The organization was perfect and the well set up programme was enjoyed by more than 70 scientists from four continents. Many participants left Krakow with a desire to return in the near future, e.g. on the occasion of an ESPCR Meeting.

Jan Borovansky