Understanding Biology Using Peptides: Proceedings of the 19th American Peptide Symposium highlights many of the recent developments in peptide science, with a particular emphasis on how these advances are being applied to basic problems in biology and medicine. Specific topics covered include novel synthetic strategies, peptides in biological signaling, post-translational modifications of peptides and proteins, peptide quaternary structure in material science and disease, and peptides as tools in drug discovery. About the Editor: Dr. Sylvie Blondelle is an Associate Member in Microbiology/Biochemistry at Mixture Science, Inc., San Diego, CA and Head of the Biosafety Department at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research. Her research focuses on strategies toward the development an HIV vaccine through optimization of peptide immunogens. Dr. Blondelle received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Montpellier, France, in 1988.