Flowinjection analysis (FIA), at the age of 16 (1), has come ofage and as a lively adolescent promises to contribute many new methods to automated analysis. Novel FIA concepts are far from being exhausted, as outlined in a brillant lecture during this workshop (2). FIA has madeits impact in manyfields, e.g. chemical process control (3). In recent years, the life sciences in particular have profited from and contributed to the development of FIA (4). As a result, it seemed appropriate to devote a special workshopto the application of FIA in this area of research and technology. The GBF, with its emphasis in biotechnology-related R&D and some pioneering activities in this area, seemed an appropriate location to host this meeting. As a result, about 70 FIA enthusiasts gathered in Braunschweig from May 13 - 15. 1990. On the eve of German unification, it was not too astonishing that the good links of the GBF with the Academy of Sciences, and to other research groups in the German Democratic Republic,led to a significant participation of scientists from GDR. Table 1 indicates the statistics of the participants. As documented in this monograph, the meeting provided a useful platform to assess the applicability of FIA based on enzymes and antibodies in medicine, bioprocess control, food and environmental analysis. For the GBF groupin particular, whose emphasis has been focused in this area for the past 3 years (Fig. 1), this forum provided an excellent Opportunity to discuss present achievements and future plans with the leaders in this field. Alas, one of the pioneers of FIA in clinical analysis was missing. Prof. Takashi Murachi, eminent scientist, teacher and peer, had passed away on theeve ofthe workshop.Prof. Murachi, Director of the Department of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Kyoto University and former President of the Japanese Biochemical Society, had presented a most memorable lecture at the GBF International Workshop on Biosensors in 1987 (5). He was a leading authority in thefield of clinical biochemistry, and far beyond. In FIA, he and his coworkers have made outstanding contributions. Their concept of a "one-shot FIA system" (which has been commercialized by Shimadzu Co., Kyoto) is especially noteworthy. At the GBF we wantto express the feelings of the attendants of this workshop as we dedicate this FIA monograph to the memory of Prof. Takashi Murachi. Our deep sympathy is with his wife, his family and his laboratory, which was most professionally represented at the workshop by Dr. Masayoshi Tabata. Many coworkers have helped to turn this workshop into a successful event. Special thanks are due to my secretaries, Heidi Rabe and Sylvia Schmidt, whoassisted in early preparations; Birgit Balster, a B. Sc. student in biology, who proved to be a competent and charming assistant workshopsecretary; Dr. Joh.-Heinr. Walsdorff, the copy editor of this monograph, who took great professional care in organizing the proceedings; the GBF biosensor group, under the guidance of Dr. Ursula Bilitewski, who helped in all aspects of the workshop organization. Finally, the moral and financial support from the managementof the GBF,Prof. J. Klein and Dr. H. Zeitträger, and from the Project Management Group of Biology, Ecology and Energy, of the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, is gratefully acknowledged.