“The book draws on the expertise of 47 contributors with backgrounds in both basic and industrial research… This useful book is strongly recommended to anyone interested in this field.” – Biotechnology Advances, 2010 “This book is an ideal reference providing comprehensive and up-to-date information…” – Anticancer Research, 2007 This unique overview of plants and transgenic techniques of great scientific, medicinal and economic value for both industry and academia covers the whole spectrum from cell culture techniques, via genetic engineering and secondary product metabolism right up to the use of transgenic plants for the production of bioactive compounds. Practical examples are given throughout, including the production of cancer therapeutics, functional food, and flavor compounds in plants. Of particular interest to the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries, as well as medicinal chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists.