Book excerpt: Plant research has stood at the forefront of the genomics revolution. One of the first genome projects, the sequencing of the commonly used model organism Arabidopsis, has already yielded important results for the study of a broad array of crops such as corn and soybeans. With crop and food bioengineering only in its infancy, the need to understand the fundamental genetic mechanisms of plants will only become more pressing. A comprehensive guide to this fascinating area of genomics, Plant Genomics and Proteomics presents an integrated, broadly accessible treatment of the complex relationship between the genome, transcriptome, and proteome of plants. This clearly written text introduces the reader to the range of molecular techniques applicable to investigating the unique facets of plant growth, development, and response to the environment. Coverage includes: Functional and structural genomics addressed within the context of current techniques and challenges to come How to utilize DNA and protein sequence data Practical considerations for choosing and employing the most commonly available computer applications A review of applications for biotechnology, including genetic modification and defense against pathogens Bioinformatics tools and Web resources Numerous examples from the latest research throughout Assuming no specialized knowledge of plant biology on the part of its reader, Plant Genomics and Proteomics provides an invaluable resource for students and researchers in biotechnology, plant biology, genomics, and bioinformatics.