This book consists of revised papers presented at the Fourth Toyota Conference held in Aichi, Japan. Representing a milestone in this key technology, the book reflects the fast growth of automation in biotechnology. Automated systems for DNA sequence analysis, the sequencing of the human genome, automated laboratory instrumentation, the investigation of macromolecules, and actuators for micromanipulation are but a few of the subjects tackled in this informative book. The depth of perspective and breadth of scope make the volume a unique contribution to understanding automation in biotechnology and its possibilities for future development and use in industry and medicine.