The INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Saarbruecken engages in fundamental and applied materials research – from a chemical, physical and biological perspective. The cover highlights examples of INM’s research which is presented in this special issue. The front cover shows biomineralization using the example of crystals embedded in the outer tissue of onion bulbs (courtesy of Birgit Heiland, INM). The back side demonstrates an in situ adhesion experiment in a scanning electron microscope (courtesy of Andreas S. Schneider/Anika Weber, INM).