Over the last decades cell biology and biological chemistry have increasingly turned their attention to the space between cells and revealed an elaborate network of macromolecules essential for structural support, cell migration, adhesion and signaling. This comprehensive handbook of the extracellular matrix is organized into seven thematic sections, giving an overview of the current state of knowledge of matrix components (structure and function), their roles in health and disease (matrix pathobiology) as well as new concepts of pharmacological targeting.