This book represents a cutting edge summary of one of the most important fields in innate immunity. Antimicrobial peptides rapidly and directly inhibit infection by microbes and are of enormous importance in the body"s natural defence against disease. In addition the role of antimicrobial peptides in the development of therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of disease is becoming increasingly important. Written by the leaders in the field this book provides an understanding of the implications of antimicrobial peptides in human disease. The volume is divided into sections containing reviews of specific families of antimicrobials, select organ systems that have demonstrated a relevance for antimicrobial peptides and, in addition, a more global discussion of these peptides and organs from distinct perspectives. Alternatively, each chapter can stand on its own, providing the reader with the ability to dive right into the subject of most interest. Topics covered include cathelicidins, alpha and beta defensins, granulysin, hepcidin, the role of antimicrobial peptides in blood, gut, skin, lung and in the oral environment. A recurring theme is the possibility of creating therapeutics that induce the expression of endogenous antimicrobial peptides for the prevention or treatment of disease.