Book excerpt: The 7th International Conference on Computer Applications in Biotechnology (CAB7) was held in Osaka on May 31- June 4, 1998. CAB7 was the continuation of a successful series of conferences which addressed all major areas in which computers are used to aid process analysis, synthesis, supervision, diagnosis, operation, optimization, control and other biotechnological procedures. Essential bioprocess system engineering aspects ranging from metabolic engineering to the control of bioproduction plants were covered. CAB7 was supported by the International Federation of Automatic Control, the European Federation of Biotechnology, and the Society of Fermentation and Bioengineering, Japan. The scientific program was arranged in several sessions. Titles of the sessions were: Modeling, simulation, design and optimization of bioprocesses; Robotics in biotechnology; Knowledge engineering approaches for bioprocess operation; Computer application in metabolic engineering; Instrumentation and data processing; Cell culture engineering and clinical application; and Application to environmental engineering. Leading international figures in their fields presented papers of the latest information. All papers selected were reviewed with the assistance of the international organizing committee (IPC). In total, 94 high quality papers are complied in this volume.