J. A. Callow – författare

Originally published in 1992, Perspectives in Plant Cell Recognition presents a review of advances in understanding the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms governing cell-cell interactions in plants. In the case of the interaction between different cells of the same plant, progress in the study of gametes and associated organs during sexual reproduction is examined. Progress in the study of associations between somatic cells crucial to coordinated tissue development are also reported. Interactions between plant cells and cells of other organisms are then represented by consideration of plant pathogenesis and examples of mutualistic symbiosis. In particular, the Rhizobium/legume symbiosis has been studied extensively and the genes controlling the specificity of the interaction and involved in creating a harmonious mutualism have been cloned and their products identified.

Advances in molecular and cell biology have led to the development of a whole range of techniques for manipulating genomes, collectively termed “biotechnology”. Although much of the focus in the plant sciences has been on the direct manipulation of plant genomes, biotechnology has also catalyzed a renewed emphasis on the importance of biological and genetic diversity and its conservation. The methods of biotechnology now permit a greater understanding of both species and genetic diversity in plants, the mechanisms by which that variation is generated in nature, and the significance of that variation in the adaptation of plants to their environment. They allow the development of rapid methods for screening germplasm for specific characters and promote more effective conservation strategies by defining the extent of genetic diversity. Tissue culture-based techniques are available for conserving germplasm that cannot be maintained by more traditional methods. Also sophisticated informatics systems enable information on plant genetics and molecular biology to be cross-related to systematic, ecological and other data through international networks.