Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles, Techniques, and Applications

Praise for the 1st Edition: The editor [has] gathered the authors of this excellent book in order to ′inform and inspire′. Indeed, nearly every reader...can gain information on the practice of plant biotechnology and be inspired by the greatness of the scientists, inventors, and researchers whose important discoveries are highlighted." (The Quarterly Review of Biology, June 2009)

Building on the success of its predecessor, Plant Biotechnology and Genetics, 2nd Edition explores contemporary techniques and applications of plant biotechnology to illustrate the tremendous potential for improving the food supply and changing our world. As an introductory text, its focus is on basic science and processes guiding students from plant biology and genetics to breeding to principles and applications of plant biotechnology. Core chapters examine the critical issues of patents and intellectual property and the controversies and consumer concerns over transgenic plants. This revised edition updates each chapter to reflect advances and changes since the first published, including advanced biotechnology tools, genomics and systems biology, intellectual property issues affecting DNA and patents, and  plant synthetic biology.

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. A supplementary website offers full–color figures and PowerPoint® slides 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.

C. Neal Stewart, PhD, is Racheff Chair of Excellence in Plant Molecular Genetics and Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. In addition to the prior edition of Plant Biotechnology, he has written Weedy and Invasive Plant Genomics, Plant Transformation Technologies, and Research Ethics for Scientists: A Companion for Students, all published by Wiley.