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This volume of Topics in Current Chemistry is an attempt to update and compile the biochemical, molecular knowledge of the still growing family of collagenous proteins. Its intention is to provide a comprehensive summary of all mechanisms known to be involved in synthesis, processing and deposition of collagen molecules, all of which are apparently shared by any known collagen type as part of a common biosynthetic route. From the intracellular initiation of protein translation to the extracellular deposition of mature molecules into the scaffold of the preformed tissue texture, collagen biosynthesis exhibits a profile of mechanisms absolutely unique when compared to other proteins. Among these are posttranslational modifications, triple helix formation and stabilization as well as supramolecular assembly of individual molecules to form fibrils and three dimensional networks or to provide cellular anchorage.