Book excerpt: A timely overview of this rapidly-expanding topic, covering the most important classes of compounds and incorporating the latest literature. With its application-oriented approach, this book is the first to emphasize current and potential applications, extending to such fields as materials science, bioorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and organic synthesis. In the biological context in particular, the book clarifies which receptor systems work well in water or better under physiological conditions. From the contents: * Amino Acid, Peptid and Protein Receptors * Carbohydrate Receptors * Ammonium, Amidinium and Guanidinium Receptors * Anion Receptors * Molecular Capsules and Self Assembly * Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries based on Molecular Recognition * Molecular Machines * Self-Replication Aimed at graduate students and specialists in the field, this is also of interest to pharmaceutical companies involved in drug design, as well as chemical companies with a polymer or nanotechnology group. In addition, analytical companies working on the advanced equipment covered here will find stimulating new applications.