This symposium celebrates the exquisite regulation of protein kinases, one of the largest gene families in humans. The >500 members in this family are instruments nature uses to relay information throughout the cell. Every instrument not only has a precise and finely controlled role in the symphony that controls cell function, but is itself finely tuned for perfect pitch. When these instruments are not in tune, the ensuing cacophony is causal in disease. The symposium covers protein kinases from structure to biology.