Designed to inform and inspire the next generation of plant biotechnologists

Plant Biotechnology and Genetics explores contemporary techniques and applications of plant biotechnology, illustrating the tremendous potential this technology has to change our world by improving the food supply. As an introductory text, its focus is on basic science and processes. It guides students from plant biology and genetics to breeding to principles and applications of plant biotechnology. Next, the text examines the critical issues of patents and intellectual property and then tackles the many controversies and consumer concerns over transgenic plants. The final chapter of the book provides an expert forecast of the future of plant biotechnology.

Each chapter has been written by one or more leading practitioners in the field and then carefully edited to ensure thoroughness and consistency. The chapters are organized so that each one progressively builds upon the previous chapters. Questions set forth in each chapter help students deepen their understanding and facilitate classroom discussions.

Inspirational autobiographical essays, written by pioneers and eminent scientists in the field today, are interspersed throughout the text. Authors explain how they became involved in the field and offer a personal perspective on their contributions and the future of the field. The text's accompanying CD-ROM offers full-color figures that can be used in classroom presentations with other teaching aids available online.

This text is recommended for junior- and senior-level courses in plant biotechnology or plant genetics and for courses devoted to special topics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an ideal reference for practitioners.Content:
Chapter 1 Plant Agriculture: The Impact of Biotechnology (pages 1–19): Graham Brookes
Chapter 2 Mendelian Genetics and Plant Reproduction (pages 21–46): Matthew D. Halfhill and Suzanne I. Warwick
Chapter 3 Plant Breeding (pages 47–82): Nicholas A. Tinker
Chapter 4 Plant Development and Physiology (pages 83–111): Glenda E. Gillaspy
Chapter 5 Tissue Culture: The Manipulation of Plant Development (pages 113–134): Vinitha Cardoza
Chapter 6 Molecular Genetics of Gene Expression (pages 135–157): Maria Gallo and Alison K. Flynn
Chapter 7 Recombinant DNA, Vector Design, and Construction (pages 159–191): Mark D. Curtis
Chapter 8 Genes and Traits of Interest for Transgenic Plants (pages 193–216): Kenneth L. Korth
Chapter 9 Marker Genes and Promoters (pages 217–243): Brian Miki
Chapter 10 Transgenic Plant Production (pages 245–274): John Finer and Taniya Dhillon
Chapter 11 Transgenic Plant Analysis (pages 275–289): Janice Zale
Chapter 12 Regulations and Biosafety (pages 291–310): Alan McHughen
Chapter 13 Field Testing of Transgenic Plants (pages 311–323): Detlef Bartsch, Achim Gathmann, Christiane Saeglitz and Arti Sinha
Chapter 14 Intellectual Property in Agricultural Biotechnology: Strategies for Open Access (pages 325–342): Alan B. Bennett, Cecilia Chi?Ham, Gregory Graff and Sara Boettiger
Chapter 15 Why Transgenic Plants Are So Controversial (pages 343–355): Douglas Powell
Chapter 16 The Future of Plant Biotechnology (pages 357–369): C. Neal Stewart and David W. Ow