The chapters of this book cover a wide range of cell – cell and cell – matrix interac-tions. The fi rst section of the book focuses on cell – matrix interactions, including focal adhesions and hemidesmosomes. Embedded within these chapters are dis-cussions of integrin activation and cytoskeletal interactions, as well as signaling mediated by integrins and their cytoplasmic binding partners. The importance of the physical three - dimensional structure of the ECM in regulating cell behavior is underscored. The second section of the book concentrates on cell – cell interactions, including anchoring junctions such as adherens junctions and desmosomes, which utilize cadherins as the major adhesive molecules. Tight junctions and gap junctions are also highlighted, with unique insights provided into the roles of these proteins in complex epithelia and disease pathogenesis. Several chapters in the volume converge on the regulation of cell junction dynamics, including the turn-over of membrane proteins, the exchange of components into and out of junctions, and the interface between membrane - traffi cking pathways and adhesion receptors. The book concludes with a chapter on how cell – cell and cell – matrix interactions are coordinated during complex morphogenic processes.