Remarkable progress has been made in the understanding of schizophrenia in the past few years. A driving force has been genome wide association studies that have now led to the identification of over 100 vulnerability loci, implicating functions in the immune system, calcium signaling as well as dopamine and glutamate transmission. In coupling the genetic information to functional data sets from imaging and cognitive studies there is a promise of developing radically improved understanding of schizophrenia, and in some cases new therapies based on immune modulation. As we develop more knowledge and better therapies there will likely be a reduction in stigmatization that is a very real problem for those affected and their families.