Biotechnology may be defined as the application of biological organisms, systems or processes to manufacturing and service industries. Each of the books in this series provides a short, authoritative account of an aspect of biotechnology of current interest. Discussions of basic scientific principles of development work and of economic factors and descriptions of case histories are included. The books will interest and inform undergraduate and graduate students who are studying biotechnology as part of biological or engineering courses. They are also designed to be of value to administrators, policy makers, teachers and informed laymen.