Oxygen free radicals and other oxidants are equally important for normal cellular metabolism and in numerous pathological diseases. The research of the last decades has contributed substantially to the understanding of the role and function of these metabolites.

This book summarizes the contributions of the Free Radical School 'Free Radicals and Diseases: Gene Expression, Cellular Metabolism and Pathophysiology' held in Spetses from Sept. 21 until Oct. 1, 2004. This Free Radical School was sponsored as an Advanced Study Institute by NATO, as an Advanced Course by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies, by UNESCO-MCBN (Molecular and Cell Biology Network), by the IUBMB (International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), and the SFRR (Society for Free Radical Research – International and Europe). The book presents the topics of most of the lectures as well as various selected posters which have been presented. The chapters contain an extensive overview including basic science approaches and clinical applications. It was the aim of the organizers of the Free Radical School (and of the editor of the book) to include a large variety of biological models ranging from yeast over mitochondria, isolated cells and cell culture models to animals and humans. The topics both of the Free Radical School and this book focus on the function and integrity of mitochondria under oxidative conditions, the role of protein oxidation and proteolysis in the cellular stress response and new aspects in the field of antioxidant treatment. Some chapters are introducing some methodological approaches and their application in the investigation of oxidative stress and diseases related to this condition.

I would herewith like to thank all the authors who were contributing to this book. I also want to thank the many students, colleagues, and friends who made the Free Radical School a success by scientific exchange in the lecture halls and during the tutorials.

This book wants to make the contents of the Free Radical School accessible for a wide audience and I am sure the chapters of this book will be of interest to many scientists and clinicians in the field.

Since both, the Society for Free Radical Research (International) and the Society for Free Radical Research (Europe) are planning a continuation of the Free Radical Schools in Spetses I also hope, that this book will draw the attention of many students interested in attending future Schools.

Tilman Grune, Editor