The authors behind a new plant biology textbook all have one thing in common: they are all staff and alumni from the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), two leading plant research institutes located on Norwich Research Park.

The book, Essential Plant Biology, presents current and comprehensive knowledge of plant biology and highlights important topics for future development and research. It was published on 22 January by Taylor and Francis, Essential Plant Biology (ISBN 978-1041081739)

This lavishly-illustrated textbook is written at a level accessible to undergraduate biologists, and will be a valuable resource for all students and teachers of biology.

Alison Smith, Author and Emeritus Fellow at the John Innes Centre said, “We were inspired to write this book by the stimulating, creative and supportive environment provided by our JIC and TSL colleagues. It is intended to provide a new generation of plant scientists with an appreciation of the wealth and breadth of radically new knowledge and technologies in plant science. The book also reveals some of the exciting opportunities for fundamental discovery and innovation in plant science to help tackle global challenges including sustainable food production, environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.”

What readers can expect

Starting with the evolutionary history of plants, Essential Plant Biology addresses the dynamic nature and regulation of plant genomes, the conversion of products of photosynthesis into the vast diversity of molecules that comprise the plant body, and the nature and coordination of growth, development, and reproduction of the plant.

The following chapters describe how these fundamental properties of plants are impacted by their surroundings: by the physical environment including light, daylength and temperature, and by interactions with other organisms – pests and pathogens, pollinators and microbes that supply nutrients. Finally, the book outlines the history, importance and future of human interactions with plants.

Some of the royalties from the book will go towards our work in providing opportunities for international students in plant biology.

Authors

• Alison Smith, former JIC Group Leader and Emeritus Fellow
• Allan Downie, former JIC Group Leader and Emeritus Fellow
• Nicholas Harberd, former JIC Group Leader, Emeritus Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Oxford
• Jonathan Jones, TSL Group Leader
• Lars Østergaard, former JIC Group Leader, Sherardian Professor of Botany at the University of Oxford
• Robert Sablowski, JIC Group Leader
• Colwyn Thomas, JIC Course Director of the Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement MSc