The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process in metazoan embryogenesis and organ development, and has gained significant attention due to its roles in both development and adult pathologies. Recent research highlights the importance of EMT in cancer, fibrosis, and other diseases. The EMT International Association was formed to promote research on EMT and its reverse process, mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET). The 2005 EMT meeting in Vancouver brought together researchers from various fields to discuss the signaling pathways, transcription factors, and molecular markers involved in EMT. EMT involves changes in cell morphology, adhesion, and migration, and is characterized by the loss of E-cadherin and gain of N-cadherin, along with the nuclear localization of β-catenin. Key regulators of EMT include Snail1, Snail2, Twist, and other transcription factors. Signaling pathways such as Met, TGF-β, and EGFR are involved in EMT, with Met activating EMT through β-catenin and BCL9-2. TGF-β also plays a major role in EMT, activating Smad-3 and HEY1, which regulate EMT. The EMT process is also influenced by ECM proteins and mechanical forces. Snail1 is a key regulator of EMT, and its expression is controlled by various signaling pathways, including ILK and GSK-3β. The EMT process is also linked to cancer progression, with EMT enabling cancer cells to invade and metastasize. EMT markers such as β-catenin and Snail1 are used to identify EMT in tumors. The EMT process is also involved in fibrosis, with fibroblasts undergoing EMT to contribute to scar tissue formation. The meeting also discussed the role of EMT in embryogenesis, with neural crest cells undergoing EMT to differentiate into various cell types. EMT is also observed in adult tissues, such as the ovaries, where EMT may help maintain ovarian homeostasis. The EMT process is complex and involves multiple signaling pathways, and its regulation is an active area of research. The meeting highlighted the importance of EMT in cancer and fibrosis, and the potential for targeting EMT pathways in the development of new therapies.The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process in metazoan embryogenesis and organ development, and has gained significant attention due to its roles in both development and adult pathologies. Recent research highlights the importance of EMT in cancer, fibrosis, and other diseases. The EMT International Association was formed to promote research on EMT and its reverse process, mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET). The 2005 EMT meeting in Vancouver brought together researchers from various fields to discuss the signaling pathways, transcription factors, and molecular markers involved in EMT. EMT involves changes in cell morphology, adhesion, and migration, and is characterized by the loss of E-cadherin and gain of N-cadherin, along with the nuclear localization of β-catenin. Key regulators of EMT include Snail1, Snail2, Twist, and other transcription factors. Signaling pathways such as Met, TGF-β, and EGFR are involved in EMT, with Met activating EMT through β-catenin and BCL9-2. TGF-β also plays a major role in EMT, activating Smad-3 and HEY1, which regulate EMT. The EMT process is also influenced by ECM proteins and mechanical forces. Snail1 is a key regulator of EMT, and its expression is controlled by various signaling pathways, including ILK and GSK-3β. The EMT process is also linked to cancer progression, with EMT enabling cancer cells to invade and metastasize. EMT markers such as β-catenin and Snail1 are used to identify EMT in tumors. The EMT process is also involved in fibrosis, with fibroblasts undergoing EMT to contribute to scar tissue formation. The meeting also discussed the role of EMT in embryogenesis, with neural crest cells undergoing EMT to differentiate into various cell types. EMT is also observed in adult tissues, such as the ovaries, where EMT may help maintain ovarian homeostasis. The EMT process is complex and involves multiple signaling pathways, and its regulation is an active area of research. The meeting highlighted the importance of EMT in cancer and fibrosis, and the potential for targeting EMT pathways in the development of new therapies.