Mass and charge symmetry in fusion dynamics

Solving microscopic Landau - Vlasov transport equations we focus on specific features associated with the fusion - fission dynamics. For mass-symmetric reactions we observe the formation of long-living deformed nuclear systems. We discuss the possibility of signalling the nuclear-shape evolution during the fusion path through the direct observation of GDR - rays and emission. In fast-fission like events we investigate the dependence of the fission times on the excitation energy. Signatures of a transition to first sound propagation for the fission mode are discussed.