Over the last decade, a series of dramatic research findings have served to emphasize the vital role of the peroxisome. These findings have included major advances in our understanding of its metabolic roles, the genetic specification of peroxisomal components, the complex processes of protein targeting and peroxisomal biogenesis, and the broad involvements of peroxisomal diseases. This book, by its format, provides both a basic introduction to the peroxisome and its relationship to other components of eukaryotic cells, and a detailed and comprehensive discussion of recent advances. In addition to the topics referred to above, current understanding of the morphology, phylogeny, enzymology and ontogeny of the peroxisome are also reviewed, as are its extraordinary proliferation induced by a variety of drugs and xenobiotics, and its role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The authors are well respected researchers in this field and have produced an authoritative and readable text, with numerous illustrations and chapter summaries, which will appeal to advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in biochemistry, cell biology and biomedical sciences.