Lie algebraic characterization of manifolds

Results on characterization of manifolds in terms of certain Lie algebras growing on them, especially Lie algebras of differential operators, are reviewed and extended. In particular, we prove that a smooth (real-analytic, Stein) manifold is characterized by the corresponding Lie algebra of linear differential operators, i.e. isomorphisms of such Lie algebras are induced by the appropriate class of diffeomorphisms of the underlying manifolds. The research of Janusz Grabowski supported by the Polish Ministry of Scientific Research and Information Technology under the grant No. 2 P03A 020 24, that of Norbert Poncin by grant C.U.L./02/010.