2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/8744With the ability to see into optically obscured regions with more than an order of magnitude better sensitivity and spatial resolution relative to current (sub)mm telescopes, ALMA will provide a unique look into the physics of galaxy formation and active galactic nuclei. In this paper I summarize the ALMA potential for studying star forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei from the nearby universe to the epoch of formation of the first luminous objects.esapub.cls, 8 pages, 10 figures. to appear in: "Dusty04 -- A prelude to Herschel and ALMA" ESA Publication SP-577, ed. A. Wilson & F. CombesAstrophysicstext