Introductory remarks

An overview is given of a stimulating Meeting held at the University of Nottingham in June 2003 focusing on molecular interactions occurring in membranes or ‘2D’ and those occurring in aqueous solution or ‘3D’. It was held jointly between the Biochemical Society and the British Biophysical Society. The 80 or so delegates who attended benefitted from an exciting exchange of ideas between researchers from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. It is hoped the collection of papers which follow this Introductory paper will provide a useful summary of the state of the art and help stimulate collaboration across the wide range of disciplines represented.