New Chemistry and New Opportunities from the Expanding Protein Universe Proceedings of the 23rd International Solvay Conference on Chemistry, Hotel Métropole, Brussels 16-19 October 2013

A select group of 40 eminent scientists from all parts of the world met to consider the current state of chemical and biological knowledge on the ever-expanding protein universe, and to discuss emerging opportunities for the foreseeable future. Scientific approaches to discover, characterize, and regulate protein functions were discussed over a range of disciplines, including natural product chemistry, microbiology, enzymology, biochemistry, structural biology, chemical biology, and glycobiology. Some notable highlights included discovery of new enzymatic pathways, innovative carbohydrate chemistry, design of proteins containing unnatural amino acids, structural elucidation of complex supramolecular machines, and design and application of small molecule drugs, biologics and biosimilars.This fascinating compendium of scientific presentations and in-depth discussions affords a unique perspective on today's protein chemistry and biology as well as on the challenges for tomorrow.