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The use of biocatalysts, employed either as isolated enzymes or whole cells, offer a remarkable arsenal of highly selective transformations for modern preparative organic chemistry. During the past decade, this methodology has now generally been accepted as a complementary method to the already existing tools. The setup of this first textbook on biocatalysis is based on a professional reference book published in 1992, and it provides a basis for undergraduate and graduate courses in biocatalysis, as well as a condensed introduction into this field for scientists and professionals. After a basic introduction into the use of biocatalysts - principles of stereoselective transformations, kinetics, enzyme nomenclature and -handling, the different types of reactions are explained according to the "reaction principle".