 antimicrobial peptids, amps, are short protein sequences found in many organisms, including humans, which have been shown to be effective against a wide range of pathogens. They can be synthetically or naturally derived, and their structure, and function very greatly. Amps have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties through a variety of mechanisms, such as disrupting cell membranes, interfering with protein synthesis, and inducing apoptosis. Amps also have potential applications in cancer therapy, as they can target tumor cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. In this review, we provide an overview of amps, their diverse structures and functions, and their potential applications in both antimicrobial and anticancer treatments. This article was authored by Chi Yu-jong, Chi Bin-Yang, Yuming Meng, and others.