Under the vast umbrella of Plant Sciences resides a plethora of highly specialized fields. Botanists, agronomists, horticulturists, geneticists, and physiologists each employ a different approach to the study of plants and each for a different end goal. Yet all will find themselves in the laboratory engaging in what can broadly be termed biotechnology.

Addressing a wide variety of related topics, Plant Tissue Culture, Development, and Biotechnology gives the practical and technical knowledge needed to train the next generation of plant scientists regardless of their ultimate specialization. With the detailed perspectives and hands-on training signature to the authors¿ previous bestselling books, Plant Development and Biotechnology and Plant Tissue Culture Concepts and Laboratory Exercises, this book discusses relevant concepts supported by demonstrative laboratory experiments. It provides critical thinking questions, concept boxes highlighting important ideas, and procedure boxes giving precise instruction for experiments, including step-by-step procedures, such as the proper microscope use with digital photography, along with anticipated results, and a list of materials needed to perform them.

Integrating traditional plant sciences with recent advances in plant tissue culture, development, and biotechnology, chapters address germplasm preservation, plant growth regulators, embryo rescue, micropropagation of roses, haploid cultures, and transformation of meristems. Going beyond the scope of a simple laboratory manual, this book also considers special topics such as copyrights, patents, legalities, trade secrets, and the business of biotechnology.

Focusing on plant culture development and its applications in biotechnology across a myriad of plant science specialties, this text uses a broad range of species and practical laboratory exercises to make it useful for anyone engaged in the plant sciences.

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to plant tissue culture, development and biotechnology, D.J. Gray and R.N. Trigiano

SUPPORTING METHODOLOGIES AND GENERAL CONCEPTS
Getting started with tissue culture ¿ media preparation, sterile technique and laboratory equipment, C.A. Beyl
Laboratory Exercise: Nutrition of cell and organ cultures, J. Capponetti and R.N. Trigiano
Plant growth regulators in plant tissue culture and development, C.A. Beyl
Elements of in vitro research, M.E. Compton
Concept/Laboratory Exercise: Proper use of microscopes, D.T. Webb
Concept/Laboratory Exercise: Plant histological techniques, R.N. Trigiano, D.J. Gray, K.R. Malueg, K.A. Pickens, Z.-M. Cheng, and E.T. Graham
A brief introduction to plant anatomy and morphology, R.N. Trigiano, J.A. Franklin and D.J. Gray
Seed development and germination, F. Chen, R.C. Martin, S. Song and H. Nonogaki
Concept/Labortory Exercise: Molecular tools for studying plant genetic diversity, T. Rinehart, X. Wang, R.N. Trigiano, N.R. Rowland and R.E. DeVries
Molecular approaches to the study of plant development, A. von Arnim and B.-H. Kim

PROPAGATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS
Propagation from meristematic tissue -- shoot culture, M.E. Kane
Laboratory Exercise: Micropropagation of Sygonium by shoot culture, M.E. Kane
Laboratory Exercise: Micropropagation and in vitro flowering of rose, M.E. Kane, T. Johnson and P. Kauth
Laboratory Exercise: Micropropagation of potato by node culture and microtuber production, M.E. Kane
Commercial laboratory production, G.R.L. Suttle
Detection and elimination of microbial endophytes and prevention of contamination in plant tissue cultures, A.C. Cassells
Laboratory Exercise: Culture indexing for bacterial and fungal contaminants, M.E. Kane, P. Kauth and T. Johnson
Propagation from nonmeristematic tissues -- Organogenesis, R. Geneve
Developing a molecular understanding of in vitro and in planta shoot organogenesis, L. Meng, S. Zhang and P.G. Lemaux
Laboratory Exercise: Direct shoot organogenesis from chrysanthemum and african violet leaves, R.N. Trigiano, L.M. Vito, M.T. Windham, S. Boggus, and D. Hadziabdic
Propagation from nonmeristematic tissues - nonzygotic embryogenesis, D.J. Gray
Developmental and molecular aspects of nonzygotic (somatic) embryogenesis, X. Yang and X. Zhang
Laboratory Exercise: Embryogenic callus and suspension cultures from leaves of orchardgrass, D.J. Gray, R.N. Trigiano and B.V. Conger
Laboratory Exercise: Direct non-zygotic embryogenesis from leaves of cineraria, R.N. Trigiano, M.C. Scott, and K.R. Malueg

CROP IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES
Protoplasts ¿ an increasingly valuable tool in plant research, J.W. Grosser and A.A. Omar
Laboratory Exercise: Demonstration of principles of protoplast isolation using chrysanthemum and orchardgrass leaves, R.N. Trigiano
Laboratory Exercise: Isolation, culture and fusion of tobacco and potato protoplasts, R.E. Veilleux and M.E. Compton
Haploid cultures, D. Hadziabdic, P.A. Wadl and S.M. Reed
Laboratory Exercise: Haploid plants from tobacco and potato anthers, P.A. Wadl, D. Hadziabdic and S.M. Reed
Concept/Laboratory Exercise: Embryo rescue, T. Eeckhaut , K. Van Laere and J. Van Huylenbroeck
Promoters and gene expression regulation, Z.T. Li and D.J. Gray
Genetic engineering technologies, Z.T. Li, S.A. Dhekney and D.J. Gray
Concept/Laboratory Exercise: Transformation of plant meristems, J.H. Gould
Laboratory Exercise: Genetic transformation of chysanthemum and tobacco using Agrobacterium tumefaciens, M.M. Young, L. Padegimas, N.A. Reichert and R.N. Trigiano
Laboratory Exercise: Genetic transformation of tobacco and production of transgenic plants, S.A. Dhekney, Z.T. Li and D.J. Gray
Genetically modified plant controversies: Sensational headlines versus pragmatic research, H.A. Richards, L.C. Hudson, M.D. Halfhill and C.N. Stewart, Jr.
Cryopreservation of plant cells, tissues and organs, B.M. Reed, M.N. Normah and S.V. Kushnarenko
Laboratory Exercise: Vitrification as a method to cryopreserve shoot tips, S.V. Kushnarenko, B.M. Reed and M.N. Normah
Laboratory Exercise: Cryopreservation of orthodox and recalcitrant seed, M.N. Normah, W.K. Choo, S.V. Kushnarenko and B. Reed
Plant Biotechnology for the Production of Natural Products, A. Kirakosyan, E. M. Seymour and P. Kaufman
Laboratory Exercise: Pigment production in Ajuga cell culture, M.A. Lila and R.B. Rogers
Variations in tissue culture, R.M. Skirvin and M. Norton

THE BUSINESS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biotechnology entrepreneurship in the 21^st century: From bench to bag, D.W. Altman
Intellectual property protection for plants, C. Eisenshank

INDEX

The Editors are to be complimented on bringing together the views of so many of the World's current experts in this field. ... The Editors tried to assign each Chapter to one or a group of experts in the field. This has ensured broad/in-depth coverage of the various topics selected. Section I ... outlines what they wished to achieve with this valuable contribution. ... [Section II] is invaluable for those students and/or researchers wishing to enter this field. ... The use of protoplasts, haploid culture, embryo rescue, somaclonal variation, cryopreservation, gene expression regulation and the production of natural products are expertly covered in [Section IV]. These Chapters form an integrated unit indicating that much time and effort has gone into its compilation. ... I found this Book very comprehensive with much to offer the students, teachers and researchers. It is a valuable contribution to possess and it will remain of value for a very long time. It would be advisable for all Libraries to have copies on their shelves.
¿J. Van Staden, Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in South African Journal of Botany, 2011, Vol. 77, Issue 3

... some interesting and well-referenced articles are included ... . The book also comes with a DVD of Powerpoint presentations and 'movie' presentations of lab work which will be useful to many readers. There are some good mini-reviews with the chapter on molecular approaches a particularly useful overview. There are also some excellent introductory chapters (notably a chapter on the proper use of microscopes) which would be of great value to students and teachers. ... The final chapter on The Business of Biotechnology is ... a useful addition. This is an extensive volume ... as a general work covering plant biotechnology would provide useful information to plant scientists.
¿S. Millam, in Experimental Agriculture, 2011, Vol. 47, Issue 3