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Ph.D. (Plant Physiology) Cornell University, 1991
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Department of Biology The University of South Dakota 414 E. Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 Phone: 1-605-677-6173 Fax: 1-605-677-6557 E-mail: kkoster@usd.edu |
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Research Interests
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. |