MULTINATIONAL TRAINING PROJECT FOR BIOCHEMISTRY
SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE DEVE-
LOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE ORGANI-
      ZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

Responsible Ce-nx

Instituto de Quimica Fisiol6gica y Patol.t5&ca, Univorsidad de
Chile

Postal Address: Casilla 6671, Santiago-b, Chile

Responsible Director: Dr. Hermann Niemeyer
Secretary: Dr. Jorge E, Allende

Dr. Marshall Nirenberg
Lab. Biochemistry Genetics
Natiorial Heart Institute
Behtesda, Maryland ZOO14
U.S.A.

Dear Dr. Nirenberg:

          The Interamerican Council for Culture, created by
the Organization of American States has approved a project to devel-
op basic and applied biochemistry in Latin America, as part of the
broad Regional Program for the Development of Science and Technology.
The countries Argentina: Brasil, Chile, Venezuela and Mexico were
recognized to have nuclei of trained biochemists actively doing
research. Biochemical centers in these countries, therefore, were
named 9iResponsible CentersO; and were given the task of training
biochemists from other countries of the continent.

         In Chile, the Instituto de Quimica Fisioldgica y
Patol6gica of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, was
selected as Responsible Center, and myself, Hermann Niemeyer as the
Responsible Director for the operation of a Multinational Project
with special responsibility towards training people from Bolivia
and Peru, In addition, two Active Participating Centers (Department
of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, and De-
partment of Chemistry of the Faculty of Medicine) will collaborate
in this endeavour. The following committee elected by biochemists
from Peru and Chile will advise the Responsible Director in the
operation of this project: Drs. Jorge E. Allende (Chile,  Secretar
Albert0 Cazorla (Peru), Osvaldo Cori (Chile), Frank Marcus   T ),
and Marino Villavicencio (Peru).                  (Chile

         The approved Ii reject includes the
Visiting professors from the  nited States and/or  articipation of
                   K rope. These
7 rofessors would stay in the Responsible Centers for variable periods
one to twelve months) according to the arrangements that can be
made and the requirements of the project. During this time, these
professors will participate in training courses on a college or
advanced level, and will collaborate and advise in the research
activities of the existing groups.


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         The approval of the Regional Program ocurred this
past December and this did not give us enough time to contact with
appropiate advanced notice the people who might possibly be interes-
ted in participating. We hope, however, that some of our colleagues
might accept to come during 1969, The summer months of the northern
hemisphare coincide with the middle of our academic year during
which there is a month of winter holiday and therefore would be
ideal for the training of advanced students.

        The visiting professors would receive their passage
and US$ 1166 a month to finance their stay in Chile. When the stay
is of six months or more.
tation of one        extra funds are provided for transpor-
       accompanying person and of personal effects.

         We would appreciate it very much if you would con-
sider the possibility of participating in this program this year
or in the following years (1970 and 1971). In any case9 please
inform other members of your Department and advise us if any of
them would be willing to come,

         When we have an estimate of the people that in
principle are available to participate, we will extend the formal
invitation, Thle selEction tiill bebased on our current teaching
schedule and the funds available, We are including a form in order
to facilitate the arrangements and programming of activities. Please
do not hesitate to request any further information that could help
you to make a decrisi.on i-n regard to your participation in this
project,

to this letter, Thank you for the attention that you could give

Sincerely yours9