Issue 1 features a Highlight article by Gerry Pattenden and Anna Bertram on azole-based cyclic peptides from sea squirts (ascidians). These molecules have a high propensity for binding metal ions. The article summarises the current evidence for marine cyclic peptide-metal congruence, and the structural and stereochemical features in cyclic peptides which seem necessary to facilitate metal complexation.

Also in this issue is a review by Gerardo Corzo of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and colleagues on the natural products in spider venoms. These compounds target several biological targets with high selectivity, and so make promising leads as potential drugs.

Issue 1 also sees the publication of the annual review on marine natural products, written by John Blunt University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and co-workers. The review covers the 812 compounds published during 2005.