9550643 Hill Planning activities related to the investigation of Bartonella bacilliformis receptors and signaling mechanisms are proposed. Specific aims of the planning activities include (1) performance of preliminary investigations on Bartonella bacilliformis (2) collaborations with Dr. Hoover (at Vanderbilt) and Dr. Minnick (at the University of Montana) and (3) attend several scientific meetings. The specific aims of the research are (1) identify and characterize the Bartonella receptor on host cell surfaces (2) determine whether protein phosphorylation has a role in the uptake of Bartonella into host cells (3) determine whether outer membrane proteins of Bartonella can stimulate host target cells to proliferate. ***