The article provides an overview of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical process in metazoan embryogenesis and organ development. EMT involves the conversion of epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, characterized by changes in morphology, adhesion, and migration capacity. The meeting on EMT, held in Vancouver, Canada, in October 2005, highlighted recent advancements in understanding the signaling pathways, transcription factors, and gene targets involved in EMT. Key topics included the role of signaling pathways such as Met, TGF-β, and EGFR, and the importance of transcriptional repressors like Snail1 and Twist. The meeting also discussed the clinical relevance of EMT in cancer and fibrosis, with evidence of EMT markers at the leading edge of invading tumors. Additionally, the article explores emerging concepts and future directions, including the potential of EMT as a therapeutic target and the possibility of hybrid cells with both epithelial and mesenchymal traits.The article provides an overview of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical process in metazoan embryogenesis and organ development. EMT involves the conversion of epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, characterized by changes in morphology, adhesion, and migration capacity. The meeting on EMT, held in Vancouver, Canada, in October 2005, highlighted recent advancements in understanding the signaling pathways, transcription factors, and gene targets involved in EMT. Key topics included the role of signaling pathways such as Met, TGF-β, and EGFR, and the importance of transcriptional repressors like Snail1 and Twist. The meeting also discussed the clinical relevance of EMT in cancer and fibrosis, with evidence of EMT markers at the leading edge of invading tumors. Additionally, the article explores emerging concepts and future directions, including the potential of EMT as a therapeutic target and the possibility of hybrid cells with both epithelial and mesenchymal traits.