Marty Heppler, M.S. student Pablo Carpane, Ph.D. student Guan Luo, Ph.D. student Collaborators: Dr. Ulrich Melcher, OSU Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Dr. Benny Bruton and Sam Pair, USDA-ARS, Lane, OK; Dr. Forrest Mitchell, TAMU-Stephenville
Research:
1) Insect transmission of phytopathogenic mollicutes (spiroplasmas and phytoplasmas)
a. Specificity of transmission of phytopathogenic mollicutes (Spiroplasma citri) by leafhoppers
b. Factors mediating spiroplasma transmission: bacterial adhesins and insect receptors
2) Molecular biology and gene regulation of phytopathogenic mollicutes
a. Mollicute phylogeny and evolution
b. Genomics: sequencing of S. kunkelii
3) Phytobacterial diseases of importance to Oklahoma
a. Characterization and phylogeny of the yellow vine bacterium (YVB)
b. Mechanisms of YVB adaptation to its multiple ecological niches
c. Dissemination of the YVB, including the potential for insect transmission
d. Development of effective and economical management strategies for yellow vine
Other professional activities:
Departmental activities:
RPT Committee
Graduate Student Handbook Revision Committee
Department reporter to Phytopathology News
Division activities:
Effective Teaching Committee (1992-95)
Agriculture Faculty Council (1996-98) (Secretary, 1997-98)
Experiment Station (ESCOP) Leadership Development Intern (1998-99)
University activities:
Faculty Council (1999-2002)- Representing Group I Biological Sciences
Academic Standards and Policy Committee
Professional society involvement:
Associate Editor, Plant Disease (1987-1990)
Senior Editor, APS Press (1990-1993)
APS National Secretary (1993-1996)
APS Councilor-at-Large (1996-1999)
