This Gordon Conference focuses on the cellular and molecular events that mediate the maturation of proteins and peptides as they transit the secretory pathway. These include protein folding events in the endoplasmic reticulum; all posttranslational processing steps including endo- and exoproteolysis and N- and C-terminal modifications; intra-Golgi and post-Golgi sorting events; mechanisms of vesicle formation and trafficking; and molecular mechanisms of constitutive and regulated secretion. Studies on the development and control of the neuroendocrine phenotype in organisms ranging from worms to flies to humans are also of interest to the conferees. An additional important focus 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).