The publication of this volume marks the 40th anniversary of the "Recent Advances in Phytochemistry" series which has essentially documented a history of the origins of Phytochemistry. The 45th annual meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA) was held July 13-August 3, 2005 in La Jolla, California, USA. The meeting was hosted by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The theme of the meeting was - Integrative Plant Biochemistry as we Approach 2010. The focus was 'to celebrate the past accomplishments of the PSNA and its focus, the growing importance of phytochemistry and plant biochemistry to the public, and to set a course for the future, by linking the past with the present and attracting a wider breath of scientists and disciplines to the society'. "Integrative Plant Biochemistry" summarizes a number of important methodological approaches and innovative techniques that were discussed at the meeting such as: Biosynthesis and Regulation of Signaling Molecules; Conservation and Divergence in Enzyme Function; Translational Opportunities in Plant Biochemistry; Temporal and Spatial Regulation of Metabolism; Lipids, Fatty Acids and Related Molecules; and, Metabolic Networks. Each chapter in this volume concludes with a short summary and addresses the expected future directions of the work. The series marks the transition and progression of the dramatic integration of classical phytochemistry into molecular plant biology. It explores the growing importance of phytochemistry and biochemistry. It discusses important methodological approaches and innovative techniques. It features a representation from a unique interdisciplinary forum of scientists at the 45th Annual meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America.