The present book thus emphasizes the importance of plant protoplasts for fundamental research. This book is intended to be used b senior undergraduates, graduate students, and research scientists in plant biology.

This detailed volume collects protocols from scientists who are actively engaged in developing or using protoplast technology. The book begins with chapters that focus on basic protoplast techniques and their utilities, such as protocols on protoplast isolation, transfection, and regeneration, as well as examples of how to use protoplasts for genome editing and gene function analysis in a number of major crop or model plant species. It continues by exploring protoplast automation, large scale functional genomics, and synthetic biology. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Protoplast Technology: Methods and Protocols aims to inspire the new generation of researchers to further improve their protocols and apply this technology to accelerate the field of plant genomic study.

Proceedings of the 7th International Protoplast Symposium, Wageningen, The Netherlands, December 6-11, 1987

Isolated plant protoplasts are 'naked' cells that have had their cell wall removed either by mechanical action or by enzymic digestion. As a result of wall removal the only barrier that exists between the cell protoplasm and the external environment is the plasma membrane. The removal of the cell wall has drastic osmotic consequences for the isolated cell. Rather like animal cells, the isolated protoplasts must be maintained in an osmotically balanced (isotonic) nutrient medium or they will burst. As will be seen later, the isolation of plant protoplasts is not a particularly new event; as early as the 1890s scientists were isolating protoplasts mechanically and studying effects such as protoplast streaming. What has brought protoplast technology to the forefront of plant biology is the potential application of these structures in non-traditional plant improvement methods. Extreme care must be exercised by the reader, however, in be lieving some of the claims that have been put forward for the use of protoplasts in improvement programmes. In the 20 years since the first experiments in routine enzyme isolation of large numbers of protoplasts no real improvement has been obtained in a commercial crop plant. This does not mean that improvement is impossible; it simply indicates that it may be a longer term objective than some people would like to admit.

In continuation of Volumes 8, 9, 22, and 23, this new volume deals with the regeneration of plants from isolated protoplasts and genetic transformation in various species of Actinidia, Allocasuarina, Anthurium, Antirrhinum, Asparagus, Beta, Brassica, Carica, Casuarina, Cyphomandra, Eucalyptus, Ipomoea, Larix, Limonium, Liriodendron, Malus, Musa, Physcomitrella, Physalis, Picea, Rosa, Tagetes, Triticum, and Ulmus. These studies reflect the far-reaching implications of protoplast technology in genetic engineering of plants. The book contains a wealth of useful information for advanced students, teachers, and researchers in the field of plant tissue culture, molecular biology, genetic engineering, plant breeding, and general biotechnology.

The ability to culture cells is fundamental for mass propagation and as a baseline for the genetic manipulation of plant nuclei and organelles. The introduction to Plant Cell Culture: Essential Methods provides a general background to plant cell culture, including basic principles, technologies and laboratory practices that underpin the more detailed techniques described in subsequent chapters. Whilst each chapter provides a background to the topic area and methodology, a crucial aspect is the provision of detailed protocols with emphasis on trouble shooting, describing common problems and detailed advice for their avoidance. Plant Cell Culture: Essential Methods provides the reader with a concise overview of these techniques, including micropropagation, mutagenesis, cryopreservation, genetic and plastid transformation and somatic cell technologies. This book will be an essential addition to any plant science laboratory's bookshelf. Highlights the best and most up-to-date techniques for working on plant cell culture Explains clearly and precisely how to carry out selected techniques in addition to background information on the various approaches Chapters are written by leading international authorities in the field and cover both well-known and new, tried and tested, methods for working in plant cell culture An essential laboratory manual for students and early-career researchers.