Conference report: 10th International Congress of Radiation Research, Würzburg, Germany, August 27-September 1, 1995.

An International Congress of Radiation Research convenes every 4 years. The 10th such congress was held in the German city of Wlrzburg, between August 27 and September 1, 1995. This meeting was especially notable, for both historical and scientific reasons. It was aptly held in the city where 100 years previously, one of the seminal scientific discoveries was made by Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, the discovery of X-rays. From the perspective of modem radiation biology research, a major new trend was evident in the work presented at this meeting: the increasing contribution and power of molecular genetic approaches in addressing fundamental questions in radiobiology, for example, the genetic events which determine the sensitivity of cells to ionizing radiation. It is clear that great strides have been made in this area since the last Intemational Congress of Radiation Research in Toronto, Canada, in 1991. This communication emphasises and attempts to present an overview of some of the ways in which molecular biology is contributing to, and influencing radiation research, as viewed through the ‘snapshot’ of this major radiation research congress. The report is selective, focussing on major