The idea for the p~esent book arose from a 3-day seminar which I organized in March 1984 for young research workers in plant physiology. Participants came from several universities of the French-speaking part of Switzerland and speakers from Basel, Mtinchen, Nottingham, Perpignan, Regensburg, Sheffield, Toulouse, Yale, ZUrich ... and Lausannne. The theme of the seminar was chosen from the range of research fields of our Institute. Meanwhile, feeling it was important to bear in mind that some of our hearers were not specialists in the chosen topic, I wished to pro vide a subject that would be of scientific, methodological and epistemologi cal interest. The critical analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of plant protoplasts exactly met these criteria. There exists ample material for discussion of the techniques of protoplast preparation, methods used in morphological, biological and biochemical studies, and for the comparison of protoplasts with the cells from which they are obtained.

Isolated protoplasts are a unique tool for genetic manipulation of plants. Since the discovery of a method for the enzymatic isolation of pro-· toplasts by Professor E. C. Cocking in 1960, tremendous progress has been made in this very fascinating area of research. I have witnessed the struggle in the 1960's and early 1970's, when obtaining a clean prepara tion of protoplasts was considered an achievement. I also shared the pioneering excitement and enthusiasm in this field during the 2nd Inter national Congress of Plant Tissue Culture held at Strasbourg in 1970, where Dr. I. Thkebe of Japan presented his work on the induction of division in tobacco protoplasts. This was followed by my participation in three international conferences devoted to plant protoplasts held in 1972 in Salamanca (Spain) and Versailles (France), and then in 1975 in Nottingham (England). The enthusiasm shown by plant scientists at these meetings was ample proof of the bright future of protoplast technology, and it became evident that protoplasts would playa major role in plant biotechnology, especially in genetic engineering. Since then we have never looked back, and now the methods for isolation, fusion, and culture, as well as regeneration of somatic hybrids, have become routine laboratory procedures for most plant species. Currently the focus is on cereal and tree protoplasts. In order to bring about any genetic manipulation through fusion, in corporation of DNA, and transformation, the regeneration of the entire plant through manipulation of protoplasts is a prerequisite.

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

Plant cell structure and function; Gene expression and its regulation in plant cells; The manipulation of plant cells.

Plant Tissue Culture, Third Edition builds on the classroom tested, audience proven manual that has guided users through successful plant culturing A.tumefaciens mediated transformation, infusion technology, the latest information on media components and preparation, and regeneration and morphogenesis along with new exercises and diagrams provide current information and examples. The included experiments demonstrate major concepts and can be conducted with a variety of plant material that are readily available throughout the year. This book provides a diverse learning experience and is appropriate for both university students and plant scientists. Provides new exercises demonstrating tobacco leaf infiltration to observe transient expression of proteins and subcellular location of the protein, and information on development of a customized protocol for protoplast isolation for other experimental systems Includes detailed drawings that complement both introductions and experiments Guides reader from lab setup to supplies, stock solution and media preparation, explant selection and disinfestations, and experimental observations and measurement Provides the latest techniques and media information, including A. tumefaciens mediated transformation and infusion technology Fully updated literature