Through the tremendous advances in the technology of mass spectrometry-based proteomics and its applications, the research has expanded to most areas of biology that deal with proteins. As most proteomics based conferences tend to focus on analytical chemistry, the selection of biological topics is usually uneven. Therefore, this unique EMBL|Wellcome Genome Campus conference, which will alternate yearly between Heidelberg and Hinxton, will focus on biology applications and build bridges to the disciplines where the technology’s promise is still not nearly fully realised.