Films and videotapes — a summary of what is available

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Films and V i d e o t a p e s - A Summary of What is Available ELIZABETH M EVANS Department of Biochemistry University of Manchester, Stopford Building Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK Some biochemistry teachers already use audiovisual aids. Many more might use them if information about what materials are available and how they can be obtained was readily to hand. The idea of presenting this information in summary form in Biochemical Education occurred to both the Editor and myself during a period of post-FEBS reflection. As a biochemist who has been making and using audiovisual aids for more than a decade it seemed an even better idea - - to the Editor! - - that I should undertake the task. The logical starting point was Biochemical Education itself because details of audiovisual material suitable for teachers of biochemistry have appeared regularly over the past 11 years. Combing the back issues of the journal produced a mass of useful information - - but it was only the tip of the iceberg. Reference sources indicated that there were items of possible interest to biochemists in seventy or eighty current catalogues of audiovisual materials, all of which had to be checked. I have restricted the present summary to films and videotapes, the type of material most commonly found in audiovisual catalogues. There are of course many other forms of audiovisual teaching materials and these could perhaps be tackled on another occasion. Before going into the fine detail there are several general points which I think should be made about the use of films and videotapes in teaching. Firstly, film is not the same as videotape! The points of difference are numerous but, for the would-be user, there is only one that matters. The 16 mm film format is common throughout the world (and films are therefore readily interchangeable) but television systems and videotape formats are not. This means that, when you are in the process of obtaining a videotape, you must check that it is in a form which you can use: it has to be compatible with the replay machine that you will be using. 'Obtaining' a videotape means either borrowing or buying it, not copying it. Without written permission, copying audiovisual material is illegal and the penalties which are now increasingly being enforced both in the U K and in many other countries, are severe. Of the two legal options, borrowing audiovisual materials is always cheaper than buying, and you will have to borrow the same material on a large number of occasions before your expenditure matches the purchase price. The financial gain to distributors from loaned materials is not very high, however, so a number of them are no longer offering materials on loan, only for outright sale. To those whose budgets are already extremely slim the expense of buying a film or videotape may seem prohibitive. However, if the material is of a high quality, and you think it B I O C H E M I C A L E D U C A T I O N 12(2) 1984

will make a useful addition to your teaching over a period of several years, it can be money well spent. Regrettably not all the material listed in catalogues or in this summary has been reviewed. Even when it has you will probably want to view the material yourself before you consider buying or using it. This can involve a double expense (borrowing it once to look at yourself, and then a second time to show to your students) so, if the description of a film or videotape in a catalogue or review really looks promising, it is worth trying to persuade the distributor to let you preview the material free of charge or at a nominal cost. Some distributors will agree to this if you are a regular customer or if you make out a reasonable case. It's worth a try, anyway! For residents in the U K or visitors to London, the Audiovisual Reference Centre of the British Universities Film and Video Council (BUFVC) at 55 Greek Street, London W1V 5LR is worth knowing about, and visiting. A growing number of items in the B U F V C catalogue (details of this below) are available for preview free of charge at the Reference Centre (these items are specially marked in the catalogue) and B U F V C may, on request, be able to obtain copies of other items for you to preview. Admittedly this form of previewing involves a trip to London but if you are already planning to travel to London for some other reason then the previewing could well be combined with it. On the subject of reviews, I have yet to see any student reviews of educational films and videotapes, even though the material is meant for them. Their comments on style and presentation could be both interesting and informative. The factual content of any audiovisual material must be correct, and checking this is the teacher's responsibility. But the style, or manner of presentation, which appeals to a student (and from which a student can learn) is often very different from the style and presentation which appeals to a teacher. So, read reviews by teachers very carefully, and don't be put off by critical comments which relate to the non-factual aspects of the material. It might not be the way you would have chosen to present the information but, if your students learn from it, does it really matter? Similarly, don't be put off by reviews which do little more than list all the points which the reviewer would have included had he or she been making the programme. As long as the points which were selected are treated correctly and in a style which makes their assimilation by students easy, differences in individual approach are both healthy and necessary. Reviews are helpful to both customer and creator but, assuming always that the factual content is correct, the matter of inclusion or omission of particulars is frequently a subjective rather than an objective judgement. To catalogue the films and videotapes which are currently available I have divided the biochemical world into three regions: the United Kingdom, North America, and Europe. This is not to say that there is no audiovisual material available outside those regions but that, if there is, I have failed miserably in my attempts to find it. (I will,

70 however, undertake to supplement this summary with details of materials available elsewhere in the world if you will write and tell me about them!) Of the three regions indicated above, the majority of films and videotapes on biochemical topics appear to have been made in the UK or to be handled by UK distributors and for this reason I will deal with the UK first. If this is not an accurate assessment of the situation I offer my apologies to any injured party, but once again my judgement has been based on readily (and sometimes not so readily) available information.

The summary is arranged in the following way: Section I: United Kingdom (a) Materials produced and distributed by universities, (b) Materials distributed by publishers, (c) Materials distributed by drug/chemical companies, and (d) Materials available from film libraries. Section H: North America (a) Materials produced and distributed by universities, (b) Materials distributed by publishers, and (c) Materials distributed by drug/chemical companies. Section IlL" Europe All known material.

Section I: UNITED KINGDOM

(a) M A T E R I A L S P R O D U C E D A N D DISTRIBUTED B Y UNIVERSITIES IN THE UK [NB Some materials produced in UK universities are handled by commercial distibutors and are listed under their entries.] Brunei University [Address: Brunel University Audio Visual Centre, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK Tel: (Uxbridge) 37188]

The Audio Visual Centre of Brunel University produces a catalogue of videotapes and films which have been made at the University and are available for sale (not hire) to other institutions. The Biochemistry section of the catalogue lists a number of videotapes which deal with biochemical techniques: The Gilson Respirometer Part 1 The Gilson Respirometer Part 2 These were reviewed in Biochemical Education 1, 31 (1973). The Liquid Scintillation Counter: An Introduction for Biochemists (1) General principles, (2) Setting up the counter, (3) Quench correction Paper and Thin-layer Chromatography (1) Outline of principles. Demonstration of paper chromatography, (2) Demonstration of thin-layer chromatography The Polarimeter Ultra-violet and Visible Spectrophotometry Polyacrylamide Gel Eiectrophoresis Use of Ultra-violet and Visible Spectrophotometry Recording Spectrometers The videotape on chromatography is in colour but the other programmes are in black and white. Although they were made between 1972 and 1974 basic information about techniques changes little, and the tapes are described as being "available in Betamax, VHS or Umatic format, suitable for world-wide use, provided the local system operates on 625 lines." The University of Cardiff [Address: Department of Biochemistry, University College, PO Box 78, Cardiff CF1 1XL, UK, Tel: 022-44211]

The Biochemistry Department's colour videotape on Isolation of a Population of Alveolar Macrophages was reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 32 (1978). The University of Glasgow [Address: University of Glasgow Television Service, Southpark House, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LB, UK, Tel: 041339 0424]

Two black and white videotapes from the Department of Biochemistry can be borrowed or bought from the address given. These are The Determination of the Structure of a Dipeptide and The Use of the Cecil Spectrophotometer, reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 32 and 33 (1978). The University of Leeds [Address: The Audio Visual Service, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK, Tel: 0532-431751]

Copies of videotapes originating in the Biochemistry Department, University of Leeds may be obtained from the University Audio Visual Service at the address given. The videotapes were made at various times from 1970 onwards, in a variety of formats, and all deal with laboratory techniques. Although planned originally for use within the University of Leeds they could be of interest to others seeking audiovisual material on these topics: Introduction to Biochemistry Practicais (1) Introduction to laboratory techniques (2) Spectrophotometry (Using the Spectronic) Basic Biochemical Techniques (1) Pipetting (2) Centrifugation and Weighing (3) Spectrophotometry I (4) Spectrophotometry II The Amino Acid Analyser Oxygen Electrode Experiment Venepuncture BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 12(2) 1984

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The University of London [Address: University of London Audio-Visual Centre, North Wing Studios, Senate House, Malet Street, London WCIE 7HU, UK, Tel: 01-636 8000]

Due to financial restrictions, materials produced by the University of London's Audio-Visual Centre are no longer available for hire to institutions outside the University of London. Materials are still offered for sale, however, and those of interest to biochemists are contained in Part 1 of the centre's three-part catalogue (Part 1 - - Biological and Medical Sciences: Medicine) which can be obtained from the address given. Part 1 of the catalogue contains details of two series of videotapes which may be of interest, particularly to those teaching biochemistry to medical students. Two of the programmes from the Scientific basis of medicine series were reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 31-2 (1978). These are The Microbio-assay of Hormones and The Biochemistry of Connective Tissue. In the Up to Date series of videotapes, two titles look promising Structure and Metabolism of Lipoproteins and Nutritional Anaemias, although as far as I am aware, they have not been reviewed. In the Miscellaneous section of the catalogue there are also two programmes which might be useful: Biological Membranes: Fact and Function and How not to Ruin Your Centrifuge. These were reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 31 (1978).

The Open University [Address: Open University Educational Enterprises Ltd, 12 Cofferidge Close, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MKll 1BY, UK, Tel: 0908 566744]

Details of all the Open University materials which are available for purchase or hire as 16 mm films or as videotapes are contained in their Film, Video and Audio Catalogue which can be obtained from the address given. This catalogue also lists the names and addresses of distributors appointed to market Open University materials in countries outside the UK (Europe, North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean, Middle East, Far East, Australia and New Zealand, Africa). There are two Open University courses which are likely to be of interest to biochemistry teachers in other institutions: $202 Biology: Form & function (a second level course) $322 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (a third level course). The foundation-level course in Science ($101) does include a videotape called DNA - - the thread of life but the introductory nature of this severely limits its use in any other context. Of the 32 television programmes associated with the $202 course, only six have any significant biochemical content: $202/05 Membranes $202/08 Intermediary Metabolism S202/06 Enzyme Structure and Function $202/12 Differential Gene Regulation S202/07 Aliostery: Molecular Communication $202/i7 Diabetes: Restoring the Balance These videotapes were reviewed in Biochemical Education 11,120-1 (1983). (NB The list above gives the correct titles of the videotapes which are not exactly the same as the titles given in the review.) There are 16 television programmes associated with $322 Open University course, and all of them are of potential interest to other biochemistry teachers: $322/01 Haemoglobin $322/10 The Ribosome S322/02 Carbohydrates S322/11 Chromatin $322/03 Structure of Lysozyme $322/12 Signals and Receptors S322/04 Action of Lysozyme $322/13 Immunology I: An Overview $322/05 Properties of Enzymes h Enzyme Flexibility $322/14 Immunology II: 13 Cells and Antibodies $322/06 Properties of Enzymes Ih Cooperativity $322/15 Immunology III: Antibody Diversity and $322/07 Enzymes and Industry Immunoregulation $322/08 Oxidative Phosphorylation I $322/16 Immunology IV: T-ceils and the Major $322/09 Oxidative Phosphorylation II Histocompatability Complex These were reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 27-30 (1978). [NB Anyone wishing to make a videorecording for any reason whatsoever (including teaching purposes) of any of the Open University programmes broadcast on the BBC must hold an off-air recording licence. These are administered on behalf of the Open University by The Guild Organization Ltd, (formerly Guild, Sound & Vision Ltd). Full details can be obtained from Ms Sally Golder at Licencing Department, The Guild Organization Ltd, Guild

House, Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 9PZ, UK, Tel: 0733-63122]

University of Southampton [Address: Department of Teaching Media, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton S09 5NH, UK, Tel: 0703 559122]

A 16 mm film from the University of Southampton called The Little Feet, deals with ciliary motility. The film is in two parts and was reviewed in Biochemical Education 9, 147 (1981). Enquiries about borrowing the film should be directed to the address given. A 16 mm colour film on acid/base balance called In the Balance which was made at the University of Southampton is available for hire from the Rank Film Library at the address below. The film explains simply the chemistry involved in cases of respiratory and metabolic acidosis and should be of interest to those teaching biochemistry to medical students. [Address: Rank Film Library, PO Box 20, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW5 9HR, UK, Tel: 01-568 9222]

BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 12(2) 1984

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University of Surrey [Address: Audio-Visual Aids Unit, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK, Tel: 0483-71281]

Information on the following 16 mm film (black and white) can be obtained from the address given. The Fine Structure of the Living Cell m A Re-examination. This was reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 30 (1978). (b) M A T E R I A L S DISTRIBUTED B Y PUBLISHERS IN THE UK

BBC Enterprises [Address: BBC Enterprises Film Sales, Woodlands, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 OTT, UK Tel: 01-734 5588]

A number of BBC television programmes can be bought as 16 mm film or on videocassette. Some programmes are also available for hire in the UK, Canada and the USA but only on 16 mm film. Precise details about availability will be contained in the new BBC Film and Video Catalogue which is about to be published (December 1983) and so enquiries from the UK and Europe should be directed to the address given. The BBC also has sales outlets in Australia and New Zealand, Canada, USA, the Middle East and South Africa and, if these are not already known to you, details can be obtained from the same address. Three programmes from the Horizon series are of particular interest, especially to those teaching biochemistry to medical students: My Children, My Children: The Genetic Chance (which deals with haemophilia) My Children, My Children: Sea in the Blood(which deals with thalassaemia) This was reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 89 (1978) and Bags of Life (which deals with cells).

The Guild Organization (formerly Guild, Sound & Vision) [Address: Guild Learning, The Guild Organization Ltd, Guild House, Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 9PZ, UK, Tel: 0733 63122]

A number of BBC television programmes may now be hired as films from the Guild Organization. One which may be of particular interest to biochemists is from the Horizon series and is called The Fat in the Fire (Catalogue No 600 0906-5). This deals with various aspects of obesity but concentrates on the role of brown fat cells. Also distributed by the Guild Organization is a series of colour videotapes originating in the Department of Physiology, University of Sheffield. One of these The Flame Photometer may be of interest to biochemistry teachers. [NB Only available in Umatic format.]

Harper & Row A 16 mm film called The Living Cell published by Harper & Row is available for hire from the Guild Organization. This film gives a general account of cell structure and function and may be useful for introductory courses. Oxford Educational Resources (OER) [Address: Oxford Educational Resources Ltd, Botley Road, Oxford OX2 0HE, UK, Tel: 0865-726625]

The following series of eight videotapes which originated in the Department of Medical Biochemistry, University o] Manchester, is distributed by OER. The programmes are available for sale in any required video format to any part of the world, and OER will also quote for supplying the programmes in a language other than English. Lipid Metabolism (1) Absorption Lipid Structure (1) Simple Esters Lipid Metabolism (2) Transport Lipid Structure (2) Complex Esters Lipid Metabolism (3) Oxidation Lipid Structure (3) Other Complex Esters Lipid Metabolism (4) Synthesis Lipid Structure (4) Non-esters All reviewed in Biochemical Education 11, 153 (1983). All reviewed in Biochemical Education 11, 79 (1983).

John Wiley & Sons See entry under Publishers in North America. (c) M A T E R I A L S DISTRIBUTED B Y DRUG~CHEMICAL COMPANIES IN THE UK

Abbott Laboratories [Address: Professional Relations Department, Abbott Laboratories Ltd, Pharmaceuticals Products Division, Queensborough, Kent, UK, Tel: 0795-

63371] The 16 mm film from Abbott Laboratories called Antibiotic action at the molecular level which was reviewed in Biochemical Education 3, 69 (1975) is not listed in the current Abbott catalogue (which can be obtained from the address given), but there are two films of possible interest to biochemistry teachers: Biochemical Basis of Antibacterial Action Reviewed in Biochemical Education 4, 40 (1976) and Erythromycin: a Fresh Look. BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 12(2) 1984

73 Bencard [Address: Bencard, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9BE, UK, Tel: 01-560 5151 Ex 3156]

Details of 16 mm films produced by Bencard can be obtained from their Film Librarian at the address given. Two may be of interest: The Effect of Penicillins and Cephalosporins on the Bacterial Cell Reviewed in Biochemical Education 5, 59 (1977) and Antibiotic Action Under the Microscope Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd [Address: Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd, Film Library, Ellesfield A venue, Southern Industrial Estate, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 4YS, UK, Tel: 0344-24600

Ex 233] Their 16 mm film called Pulmonary Function (no review available) may be useful to those who wish to put haemoglobin structure and function in a clinical context. British Petroleum [Address: BP Film Library, 15 Beaconsfield Road, London NWIO 2LE, UK, Tel: 01-451 1129]

The only suitable item in the BP catalogue is a 16 mm film called Proteins which was reviewed in Biochemical Education 5, 59 (1977). Ciba Laboratories [Address." Guild Hire Catalogue, Guild Film Library, Guild House, Peterborough PE2 9PZ, UK, Tel: 0733-63122]

Their 16 mm films are now handled by the Guild Organization and appear in a supplement to the new Guild catalogue, which can be obtained from the address given above. The only film of possible interest is one called Protein Metabolism in Health and Disease which might be suitable for showing as part of an introductory course on metabolism. No review is available but as the film was made in 1963 it is likely either to be outdated or to be so general as to be of little use.

Griffin and George Their 16 mm films Thin layer chromatography, Advanced thin-layer chromatography and High-voltage electrophoresis which were reviewed in Biochemical Education 1, 35 (1973), are no longer available. ICI [Address: 1CI Pharmaceuticals Division, Alderley House, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SKIO 4TP, UK, Tel."0625-582828 Ex 1441]

ICI produce several catalogues of audiovisual materials. In Medical Films and Tapes 1983/4 there is really nothing suitable for biochemistry teaching, but there is a 16 mm film called The Propagation of the Action Potential. The Contractile Cell in the series of nine units on The Control of the Cardiovascular System, which is produced by ICI Pharmaceuticals. This was reviewed in Biochemical Education 7, 92 (1979). Two other 16 mm films which may be useful and which have been reviewed in Biochemical Education are available for loan from the ICI Film Lilbrary in London. [Address: ICI Film Library, 15 Beaconsfield Road, London NWIO 2LE, UK] These are: Chromatography Reviewed in Biochemical Education 5, 76 (1977) and The Laws of Disorder. Part 1 Entropy Reviewed in Biochemical Education 1, 87 (1973). Merck Sharp & Dohme [Address." Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd, Hoddesdon, Herts ENII 9BU, UK, Tel: (Hoddesdon) 67272]

The only suitable 16 mm film is The Promise of Levodopa Fulfilled which was reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 34 (1978). Pfizer [Address." Pfizer Europe, International Film Library, 55 rue du Moulin a Papier, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium[

Two 16 mm films in the Pfizer catalogue may be of interest to those teaching biochemistry to medical students. These are Trends in Diabetic Research reviewed in Biochemical Education 7, 40 (1979), and Glycosylated Haemoglobin and Diabetic Control (no review available). Enquiries about borrowing films should be directed to Mr V A van Haverbeke at the address given. As most of the Pfizer films are held in their library at Brussels and shipped out from there on request, and as there is a heavy demand for them, at least 1 month's notice of viewing is required. B I O C H E M I C A L E D U C A T I O N 12(2) 1984

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Smith Kline & French [Address: Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 1EY, UK, Tel: (Welwyn Garden) 25111]

Most of their material is too clinically orientated to be of use to biochemistry teachers, but one 16 mm film might provide interesting background information for medical students. The Discovery of H2 Receptor Antagonists Reviewed Biochemical Education 11, 153 (1983). [Only available in UK.]

Upjohn [Address: Up]ohn Limited, Film Library, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex, UK, Tel: 0293 31133]

Two of the 16 mm films in the Upjohn catalogue may be useful in providing background information and/or a physiological context for biochemical facts. These are Prostaglandins: Tomorrow's Physiology and Prostaglandins: A Special Kind of Matter (no review available).

The Welicome Foundation There is nothing of interest to biochemists in the current Wellcome catalogue. The two films Nalorphine (Lethidrone), Nallylmorphine and Neuromusculat block which were reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 34 (1978) do not appear, and so presumably have been withdrawn. (d) MATERIAL A V A I L A B L E THROUGH FILM LIBRARIES

The BMA/BLAT Film Library [Address: The British Medical Association Film Library, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WCIH 9JP, UK, Tel: 01-387 4499 Ex 317]

Most of the 16 mm films in this library are, understandably, aimed at a medical audience but at least one is of great interest to those teaching biochemistry to medical students: Sickle Cell Disease: the Unkind Inheritance. This was reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 89 (1978).

The French Scientific Films Library [Address: French Scientific Films Library, c/o Scottish Central Film Library, Dowanhill, 74 Victoria Crescent Road, Glasgow GI2 9JN, UK, Tel: 041334 9314]

A series of 16 mm French'films on Science and Technology, which comes under the control of the Scientific Department of the French Embassy in London, is available for hire from the Scottish Central Film Library at the address given. The following are available with an English commentary and their titles at least hold promise for teachers of biochemistry: Adsorption Chromatography Invertebrate Cell Tissue Culture Blood Platelets Ion Exchange Resin Diabetes and Atherosclerosis Iron Deficiency Anaemia Dialysis Microscopic Examination of Living Cells Enzyme Structure and Function Phenylketonuria Gas Chromatography Structure of the Cell The Heart and Potassium Structure of Globular Proteins Apart from the last film, which was reviewed in Biochemical Education 3, 40 (1975), no other reviews are available, although Biochemical Education could probably remedy this in the near future.

The Higher Education Film Library [Address: The Higher Education Film Library, c/o The Scottish Central Film Library, Dowanhill, 74 Victoria Crescent Raod, Glasgow G12 9JN, UK, Tel: 041-334 9314]

There are several 16 mm films on biochemical topics which are available for loan from the Higher Education Film Library. I Think I Need to Use an Isotope was made in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol and shows a research student being introduced to the potential problems of handling radioactive materials, and the necessary precautions which must be taken. Effects of Hormones in Higher Plants was produced at the Botanical Institute, University of Berlin many years ago. It is a silent black and white film (with a set of teaching notes in English) which illustrates experiments which have been used in the study of growth hormones in flowering plants. Nitrogen Fixation in Lucerne was produced at the Rothamsted Experimental Station and describes the running of a plot experiment aimed at measuring the amount of atmospheric nitrogen fixed by an agricultural legume in association with Rhizobium bacteria. B I O C H E M I C A L E D U C A T I O N 12(2) 1984

75 The Structure and Function of Haemoglobin is a 3-D anaglyph film made by the University of London's Audio Visual

Service. It was reviewed in Biochemical Education 8, 119 (1980). The Function of Microtubules is a Japanese film and was reviewed in Biochemical Education 9, 147 (1981). Also available for hire from the Higher Education Film Lilbrary is the series of six 16 mm films under the general title Insights into Biochemistry - - Protein Structure and Function, which are published by Houghton-Mifflin. (For details see under the Houghton-Mifflin entry in Section IIb of this summary). Section II: NORTH AMERICA (a) MATERIALS PRODUCED A N D DISTRIBUTED B Y UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH AMERICA University of Guelph [Address: Office of the Audio Visual Services, The University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N2G 2W1, Canada]

A description of the 16 mm film Lysozyme m Structure and Function from the University of Guelph was published in

Biochemical Education 6, 34 (1978). No review is yet available. University of Kansas [Address: University of Kansas Medical Centre, Biochemistry Dept, Kansas City, Kansas 66103, USA]

A film from the Biochemistry Department at the University of Kansas, called Glycogen Metabolism in Man is available in 16 mm or Super-8 mm cassette formats. The film was reviewed in Biochemical Education 3, 43 (1975), and further information can be obtained from Dr Wilfred Arnold at the address given. (b) MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED B Y PUBLISHERS IN NORTH AMERICA Encyclopaedia Britannica [Address: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Educational Corporation, 425 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA]

Among the 16 mm educational films which are published and marketed by Encyclopaedia Britannica there are four, designed for high school or college students, which may be of interest to teachers of biochemistry. These are: The Living Cell: DNA The Living Cell: An Introduction Photosynthesis Muscle: Chemistry of Contraction Enquiries about purchasing these (they are not available for hire) should be directed to the address given, but it is worth noting that there are Divisions of Encyclopaedia Britannica in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and North Africa. In the UK and Europe, sales of Encyclopaedia Britannica films are handled by Fergus Davidson Associates Ltd, [1

Bensham Lane, Croydon, Surrey CRO 2RU, UK, Tel: 01-689 6824] Harper & Row [Address: Harper & Row, Publishers lnc, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022, USA]

A 16 mm colour film called Protein Synthesis, which was made in 1971 by medical students at the Stanford University Medical Centre, is distributed commercially by Harper & Row. A review of the film appeared in Biochemical Education 1, 16 (1972). Houghton-Mifflin [Address: Houghton-Mifflin Co, One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02107, USA]

A series of six 16 mm films on Protein Structure and Function, conceived by the Educational Affairs Committee of the American Society of Biological Chemists, is available for purchase from the Boston Office of the Houghton-Mifflin Company. Insights into Biochemistry m Protein Structure and Function (1) Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Proteins (2) Protein Structure and X-ray Crystallography (3) Determining Amino Acid Sequences in Proteins: Sickle Cell Anaemia (4) Enzymes: Catalysts of Life Processes (5) Enzymes: Specialisation and Regulation (6) Molecular Evolution These films were reviewed in Biochemical Education 6, 60-61 (1978). (NB For readers in the UK see also entry in Section Id under Higher Education Film Library.) BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 12(2) 1984

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John Wiley & Sons [Address: Educational Services Dept, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 605 Third Avenue, New York, N Y 10016, USA and John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Baffins Lane, Chichester, Sussex P019 1UD, UK, Tel: 0243 784531]

A catalogue of audiovisual materials handled by John Wiley & Sons can be obtained from the publishers at either their New York or their Chichester address. There are at least six 16 mm films which may be very useful to biochemists: Proteins: Structure and Function What Makes Muscle Pull; The Structural Basis of Contraction Both reviewed in Biochemical Education 4, 8 (1976) Chromatography (in two parts) Energetics of Life DNA m Blueprint of Life The DNA Story Reviewed in Biochemical Education 1, 47 (1973). NB These films can all be purchased from John Wiley, but in the U K and Europe the John Wiley films can also be hired from the Viscom Film and Video Library. [Address: Viscom Ltd, Audio Visual Library, Parkhall Road, Trading Estate, London SE21 8El, UK, Tel: 01-761 3035]

(c) MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED B Y DRUG~CHEMICAL COMPANIES IN NORTH AMERICA Eli Lilly [Address: Eli Lilly & Company, Audio-Visual Film Library, PO Box 814, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206, USA]

Details have been received of only one 16 mm film which might be of interest to biochemistry teachers. This is The Secretion of Insulin which is available on free loan and was reviewed in Biochemical Education 2, 36 (1974). In U K and Europe loan of this film can be arranged by contacting the Films Officer. [Address: Eli Lilly & Co Ltd, Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 2XA, UK, Tel: 0256-3241]

Section l l h EUROPE DNA Replication and Transcription Reviewed in Biochemical Education 7, 40 (1979). [These films can be purchased in 16 m m or 35 m m format from DEFA -- Aussenhandel, Mila Strasse 2, 1058 Berlin, DDR]

Introduction to Biochemistry (1) Enzymology Introduction to Biochemistry (2) Mechanism of Enzyme Catalysis These two 16 mm films were reviewed in Biochemical Education 1, 35 (1973), but it is not certain that the films are still available. [Correspondence to the address given has produced no replies: STU-D1 (Studios for didactic productions), Steynlaan 1, Hilversum, Holland]

References BUFVC Catalogue 1983 This is published by the British Universities Film and Video Council (BUFVC), 55 Greek Street, London W1V 5LR (Tel: 01-734 3687). It is a new publication which combines and updates two previous B U F V C catalogues - - the Catalogue of Audio Visual Materials for Higher Education and the Higher Education Learning

Programmes Information Service (HELPIS) Catalogue, and lists over 5,500 items, mainly films and videotapes, which are suitable for use in higher education. As a reference source it should be available in all university libraries and Audio-visual Centres but it is not recommended for purchase by individual biochemists as it costs £11 (to non-members of BUFVC), is produced in microfiche form only, and only a small number of the total items deal with biochemical topics. BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 12(2) 1984

The BUFVC Distributor's Index Also available from The British Universities Film Council (address above), this is an extremely useful publication (£4 to non-members) which lists under subject headings all distributors of audiovisual materials in the UK. No details of the materials are given but if you really do want to know where to send for the seventy or eighty catalogues mentioned at the beginning of this summary, this is the publication for you. Biological Sciences: A Subject Index of Audiovisual Materials Produced by The Institute of Biology, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5HU, UK, at a cost of £6, this was reviewed in Biochemical Education 7, 36 (1979). This is a massive tome to be approached only with a considerable amount of intestinal fortitude but yielding occasional gems to those wishing to put their biochemistry teaching into a broader biological setting.