This book contains the proceedings of the 2nd Cologne Ath roscle- rosis Conference (CAC) which was devoted to lipids, in particular lipoproteins. The object of the conference series, organised by A. Nattermann & Cie. GmbH, Cologne, is to provide an overview of various fields either directly related to or associated with the process of atherosclerosis. Having considered the associated field of inflammation in the first conference, the 2nd CAC dealt with a subject intimately related to the atherosclerotic process per see The recent demonstration in an extensive clinical study of a close link between high plasma cholesterol and coronary mortality has awakened both the medical and the lay communities to the importance of research into lipoprotein biochemistry and physiology. This can only be good news since more intensive research into lipoprotein functions is vital for future therapy of atherosclerosis and other lipid disorders. The status of research on lipoproteins is reflected in the contributions to this book, which are of an interdisciplinary nature, including both reviews and shorter research reports by acknowledged experts in the field. Special thanks are due to Margret Leffin for her organisational and secretarial assistance at all stages and to Dr. D. Bowyer and Prof. W. Stoffel for their advice and assist- ance with the programme. Cologne, July 1984 Michael J -. Parnham Lipoprotein Synthesis and Receptor Interactions 17 AAS 16: 2nd Cologne Atherosclerosis Conference 1984 (c) 1984 Birkhiiuser Verlag Basel APOLIPOPROTEIN GENES, DNA POLYMORPHISMS AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA c. c. Shoulders and F. E.