The first paper, Understanding Biodeterioration of Wood in Structures, provides an overview of the subject matter and refers to a selection of textbooks for more detail. It provides some essential background on wood structure and composition, the range of wood-inhabiting organisms and their effects on wood. The colonisation sequence, the conditions required for decay, and the rates of growth and strength loss are covered in some detail. The second paper, Moisture Problems in Vancouver Condominiums reviews the background to the recent epidemic of decay problems in southwestern B.C. and Forintek's short-, medium- and long-term response. In the short term, Forintek has been assisting in the work of the Building Envelope Research Consortium (BERC) designed to understand and deal with these problems. In the medium term, we have developed a combination of safe low-level chemical treatments which will provide OSB with the same fungal resistance as Douglas-fir faced plywood. This paper also describes the long-term project Decision Aids for Durable Wood Construction.