Chloroplast Gene Expression: Regulation, Stress Signaling and Biotechnology

This book provides an insightful journey into the realm of chloroplast biology. Chloroplasts are the organelles that perform photosynthesis and many of the metabolic processes in plant cells. They are a specialized form of plastids, whose differentiation is dependent on environmental and developmental signaling. Descended from a lineage of free-living, photosynthesizing prokaryotes, chloroplasts and other plastids contain remnants of their ancient genomes and chloroplast gene expression is essential for establishing functional organelles. Chloroplast gene expression has features of the prokaryotic gene expression but now involves large suites of nuclear proteins. Topics discussed are: - the identification of these nuclear factors - how chloroplast RNA is processed to produce functional organelles - translation in chloroplasts and its regulation - the environmental factors that influence chloroplast development - and how plants deal with defective chloroplasts. The book also highlights the evolving landscape of chloroplast engineering in biotechnology, recent breakthroughs and their implications for the future. A valuable resource for researchers, students, and enthusiasts alike, this book is a compelling testament to the fascinating world of chloroplasts and their burgeoning role in scientific innovation.