VIII Preface
of protein markers and to the implementation of new technologies such as
confocal microscopy and tomographic electron microscopy. Among the sev-
eral hundred proteins that are believed to be involved in building the cell
plate, only a few dozen have been identified. Some of these proteins, such as
phragmoplastin and knolle, are specific to this transient subcellular organelle,
while many others may also have functions in other membranes and organelle
building processes.
The scope of this book is focused on the molecular aspects of cell division
control in higher plants. Publications in this field have increased exponentially
in the past decade and this trend will certainly continue in the post genomics
era. Further research on cell division control in plants involving signaling
systems as well as details of the machinery of cell wall architecture holds
tremendous promise for advancing our understanding of this fundamental
process essential for building the plant body.
We are greatly indebted to all our contributors for their individual chapters
and for their patience during the unanticipated delay of the edition of this
volume. We also thank the National Science Foundation for their support of
our research.
May 2007 Desh Pal S. Verma
Zonglie Hong