Abstract This chapter outlines the general principles of intracellular signalling. Focusing on cell surface receptors, the requirements for effective transmission of information across the plasma membrane are outlined. The principal mechanisms utilized in mammalian signal transduction are described. For each, the pathological consequences of aberrant signalling and means by which pathways can be pharmacologically targeted are described in molecular terms. Intracellular signalling pathways permit the transmission and integration of information within cells. Mammalian receptor signalling relies on only a small number of distinct molecular processes which interact to determine cellular responses. Rapid advances in our knowledge of the mechanisms of intracellular signalling has greatly increased understanding of how cells function physiologically, how they malfunction pathologically, and how their behaviour might be manipulated therapeutically.