This book contains recent and exciting developments on the structure of moduli spaces, with an emphasis on the algebraic structures that underlie this structure. Topics covered include Hilbert schemes of points, moduli of instantons, coherent sheaves and their derived categories, moduli of flat connections, Hodge structures, and the topology of affine varieties. Two beautiful series of lectures are a particularly fine feature of the book. One is an introductory series by Manfred Lehn on the topology and geometry of Hilbert schemes of points on surfaces, and the other, by Hiraku Nakajima and Kota Yoshioka, explains their recent work on the moduli space of instantons over ${\mathbb R 4$. The material is suitable for graduate students and researchers interested in moduli spaces in algebraic geometry, topology, and mathematical physics.

Dedicated to Professor Dr. Hanfried Lenz on the Occasion of his 65th Birthday