Book excerpt: In this volume, an international group of experts presents research on the biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology and pharmacology of the growing class of peptides that function as hormones or neurotransmitters, including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), glucagon, and related peptides. Topics include the role of this family of peptides and their receptors in signal transduction mechanisms, cancer, autonomic physiology, neurobiology, cell proliferation, cell death and tissue injury, endocrinology, and neuroimmunology, along with clinical and potential therapeutic implications.