This review provides an overview of the literature concerning the stereoselective synthesis of a large group of modified cysteines. The different synthetic approaches are classified according to the bonds formed to build the cysteine backbone skeleton.The authors thank the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (project number CTQ2013-40855-R) and DGA-FSE (research group E40) for financial support. Jaime Gracia-Vitoria thanks the Gobierno de Aragón for the concession of a predoctoral fellowship.Peer Reviewe