The aim of the new Plant Biotechnology Journal is to publish substantial, world-class primary research articles in applied plant science, involving applications of plant biotechnology and plant biology across all industrial sectors. Publishing original research, Plant Biotechnology Journal will report on significant new contributions to the field, providing a forum for the best papers in applied plant science. Published articles will report novel and exciting findings in strategic research in plant biotechnology, combining curiosity-driven studies with the potential for application. Applications may involve agriculture, horticulture, food and food-processing, paper, pulp and timber, pharmaceuticals, medical, phytoremediation, marine applications, non-food uses of plants and industrial crops. With the rapid developments in genomic sequencing and analysis, and availability of new technologies to analyse functional genomics and proteomics, the combined powers of genetics, biochemistry and cell biology are leading to the very rapid production of new information. Plant Biotechnology Journal welcomes the results of these programmes when the outcome is likely to enhance the application of plant science to the above industries.