Karen L. Koster, Professor
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Office Location: Churchill-Haines 182 |
Education
- Ph.D. (Plant Physiology) Cornell University, 1991
- B.S. (Organismal Biology) University of Kansas, 1984
Courses Taught
- Cell Biology
- Senior Seminar
- Research Description
My research is focused on the responses of plants to environmental stress, in particular extreme water loss. Some organisms are desiccation tolerant, a fundamental biological adaptation that allows these organisms to avoid environmental conditions that might otherwise be lethal, such as episodes of freezing or high temperature. Research in my lab centers on trying to elucidate mechanisms by which the seeds of many angiosperms can survive almost complete desiccation. Experiments use both cellular and model systems, such as the embryo protoplasts shown here, to understand the processes that occur during drying and rehydration of desiccation tolerant and sensitive organisms. Results of these studies may help us understand how organisms survive drying and may help us devise improved techniques for long-term preservation of germplasm.
Representative Publications
- Lenné, T.; C.J. Garvey, K.L. Koster, G. Bryant. 2009. "The effects of sugars on lipid bilayers during dehydration: SAXS/WAXS measurements and quantitative model." Journal of Physical Chemistry B 113: 2486-2491.
- Walters, C., K.L. Koster. 2007. "Structural dynamics and desiccation damage in plant reproductive organs." in M.A. Jenks, A. Wood, eds., Plant Desiccation Tolerance, Blackwell Publishing, Inc. Oxford, U.K. ISBN: 9780813812632.
- Lenné, T., G. Bryant, R. Holcomb, K.L. Koster. 2007. "How much solute is needed to inhibit the fluid-gel membrane phase transition at low hydration?" Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes 1768: 1019-1022.
- Halperin, S.J., K.L. Koster. 2006. "Sugar effects on membrane damage during desiccation of pea embryo protoplasts." Journal of Experimental Botany 57: 2303-2311.
- Mo B., K.L. Koster. 2006. "Changes in lipoxygenase isoforms during germination and early seedling growth of Pisum sativum L." Seed Science Research 16: 97-106.