Agrobacterium is a plant pathogen which causes the "crown-gall" disease,
a neoplastic growth that results from the transfer of a well-defined DNA
segment ("transferred DNA", or "T-DNA") from the bacterial Ti
(tumor-inducing) plasmid to the host cell, its integration into the host
genome, and the expression of oncogenes contained on the T-DNA. The
molecular machinery, needed for T-DNA generation and transport into the
host cell and encoded by a series of chromosomal (chv) and Ti-plasmid
virulence (vir) genes, has been the subject of numerous studies over the
past several decades. Today, Agrobacterium is the tool of choice for
plant genetic engineering with an ever expanding host range that
includes many commercially important crops, flowers, and tree species.
Furthermore, its recent application for the genetic transformation of
non-plant species, from yeast to cultivated mushrooms and even to human
cells, promises this bacterium a unique place in the future of
biotechnological applications.
Agrobacterium is a comprehensive volume describing Agrobacterium's
biology, interactions with host species, and uses for genetic
engineering.
Dr. Tzvi Tzfira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of
Michigan.
Dr. Vitaly Citovsky is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and
Cell Biology at Stony Brook University.
