The last year has again seen some major advances in the Growth and Growth Factors field. Significant advances have been made in our understanding of the genetics of growth. For example, mutations in the pericentrin gene PCNT are associated with both primordial dwarfism and Seckel syndrome. Critically, these genes link DNA repair processes to growth. The identification of RNF135 brings into the field a novel gene implicated in growth. Additionally, genome–wide association studies have led to the identification of a number of loci that are implicated in normal growth. These include genes implicated in the Hedgehog signaling pathway and cell cycle regulation. These discoveries go some way towards explaining the genetic variation in height, but their importance may lie in other areas as well, for example cell cycle regulation. In addition, progress has been made in our understanding of Noonan syndrome by the discovery of further gene abnormalities in patients with this condition. Genetic mutations can now be identified in the majority of patients. Fundamental work has shown the importance of growth factor receptors in stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and the molecular mechanism behind activating growth factor receptor mutations. Some items are always on the growth factor research agenda, like direct and indirect actions of GH, the role of nuclear GHR and clinical effects of IGF1 but important new data have increased our understanding over the last year. We have attempted to discuss some of the key papers that have been published in this field.