The ninth Gordon Conference in this series focuses on the most recent research in the cellular and molecular events in the secretory pathway, including post-translational processing, trafficking and secretion of bioactive peptides and other secretory pathway proteins, as well as the significance of these processes to human disease and cellular physiology. In particular this meeting renews its continuing interest in protein folding events in the endoplasmic reticulum; post-translational processing steps including structural, biochemical, proteomic and cellular analyses of proteolysis and peptide-terminal modifications; intra-Golgi and post-Golgi sorting events including targeting to secretory granules; mechanisms of secretory granule formation and trafficking; and molecular mechanisms of regulated and constitutive secretion. An additional important dimension is on pathologies and diseases whose underlying basis relates to protein processing and/or trafficking (e.g., diabetes; Alzheimer's; hypercholesterolemia; bacterial toxin activation; viral glycoprotein maturation; and many others). Many new and promising investigators have been invited, along with more established ones. Additional short talks are reserved for young investigators for late breaking stories. One of the emerging considerations of this field of research is our increased understanding of the intricacies of proprotein processing and the secretory pathway and our ability to envisage research translation for potential therapeutic applications.