the first gene responsible for crohns disease has now been identified and the pathophysiological understanding of inflammatory bowel disease as well as its practical treatment have made much progress in recent years. thus it is obviously important to consider the targets and the aims of treatment in context. the falk symposium no. 131 (part ii of the gastroenterology week freiburg 2002), held in october 2002 in freiburg, germany, in its first part was dedicated to newly defined and partly alternative therapeutic targets. in addition, an attempt was made to learn from experts from other fields such as pneumology or dermatology. the second part was dedicated to the aims of treatment in daily practice. aside from general treatment, aims such as amelioration of symptoms, pre-conditions of treatment, the view of the patients, and aspects of life quality were dealt with. this volume is the proceedings of the symposium and is important reading for both clinicians and basic scientists.