How the field has changed! In the early days of cytoskeletal research, intense interest was generated by the identification and cataloging of new cytoskeletal proteins, and their grouping into functional classes, which now number> 60. While this important first step continues, and will surely be expanded as mammalian genomes are completed, the field has also advanced to other levels. This has resulted in the emergence of an integrated view of how signal transduction pathways regulate cytoskeletal elements that participate in cell structure, motility and membrane traffic. Since no meeting can cover such a large area in great depth, it is necessary for the organizers to select an area for emphasis, preferably spiced with major advances in related topics. The 15th Meeting of the Cytoskeletal Forum did this admirably, with an emphasis on microfilament regulation and function. Here I attempt to provide an overview of the central focus of the meeting, rather than provide a comprehensive account, so many interesting contributions are not mentioned.