The accelerating pace of plant research in the contemporary post-genomic era is leading us to appreciate that peroxisomes have many important roles in plant cells, including reserve mobilisation, nitrogen assimilation, defence against stress, and metabolism of plant hormones, which are vital for productivity and normal plant development. Many plant scientists are finding, and should no doubt continue to find, that their own area of research is connected in some way to peroxisomes. This volume surveys peroxisomal metabolic pathways, protein targeting and biogenesis of the organelle and prospects for the manipulation of peroxisomal function for biotechnological purposes. It aims to draw together current ideas in 2002 providing a starting point for anyone, student or researcher, who wishes to know about plant peroxisomes.
