Solid state NMR is rapidly emerging as a universally applicable method for the characterization of ordered structures that cannot be studied with solution methods or diffraction techniques. This proceedings volume - from a recent international workshop - captures an image of the developments and directions for solid state NMR in biological research, particularly on membrane proteins. Higher fields are bringing clear improvements, and the power of solid state NMR techniques for studying amorphous and membrane associated peptides, proteins and complexes is shown by examples of applications at ultra-high fields. Progress in protein expression, experimental design and data analysis are also presented by leaders in these research areas.