Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Flowering

Containing contributions from experts from the USA, Europe and New Zealand, this book provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms associated with flowering. The first edition was published in 1993 as The Molecular Biology of Flowering. The second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to cover the major advances that have been made in the area in the last thirteen years. It has also been extended to examine the new commercial opportunities provided by biotechnology. It explores three main themes: the external and internal regulation of flowering, floral development, and fertilisation and gametophyte development, and includes new chapters on the evolution of flowers, floral senescence and apomixis.

- Brian Jordan is Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Lincoln University, New Zealand and has over 30 years of experience in plant biochemistry and molecular biology. Professor Jordan was a scientist at Horticulture Research International, UK for 14 years and during that time carried out research at the Carnegie Institute, Stanford University, USA, North Carolina State University, USA and CSIRO Canberra, Australia. Throughout his research career he has focused on how light regulates plant growth and development. In particular, he has made a major contribution to understanding the molecular responses of plants to ultraviolet radiation. Since going to New Zealand in 1994, Professor Jordan has worked for Crop & Food Research as a programme leader in genetic engineering and as the Food Science & Technology Divisional Manager. In 1998, he became Director, Nutrition and Health in the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health at Massey University. Professor Jordan acted as a United Nations Environmental Programme reviewer in 1998 and 2006 on the impact of ultraviolet radiation. In January 2001, he was appointed Director of the Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division and Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Lincoln University and remained as a senior manager until 2008; after which he returned to research and teaching. From 2006-2008, he was part of the New Zealand Specific Support Action, Food-Frenz. He has also been part of two European COST-ACTIONS: on viticulture and ultraviolet radiation.