Ken J. Kasha,
University Professor Emeritus, OC, FRSC, LLD(hc).
Education
B.Sc. (Agr.) University of Alberta;
M.Sc. University of Alberta;
PhD. University of Minnesota
Contact
Crop Science Building
Department of Plant Agriculture
University of Guelph
Guelph Campus
50 Stone Rd. E.,
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
N1G 2W1
Email: kkasha@uoguelph.ca
Haploids, barley, wheat, cytogenetics, transformation
Research Interests:
Development of genetic and cytological knowledge for cereal crop improvement. Research involves the understanding and improving haploid production systems and the development and testing of isolated microspore (haploid) transformation systems. Haploids are plants with a gametic chromosome number and are of value in shortening the breeding time required to develop new improved cultivars and as targets in mutation, selection and transformation research. Haploid isolated microspores are targets for direct production of homozygous transgenics and the production of doubled haploids for breeding programs. The last research involved perfecting culture media for microspores and procedures for introducing DNA into cells.
Please note:
Dr. Kasha is no longer taking graduate students or Post-docs as his lab is closed.
Selected Publications:
Hu, T.C and K.J. Kasha. (1999). A cytological study of pretreatments used to improve isolated microspore cultures of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Chris. Genome 42: 432-441.
Kasha, K.J., E. Simion, R. Oro, Q.A. Yao, T.C. Hu and A.R. Carlson. (2001). An improved in vitro technique for isolated microspore culture of barley. Euphytica 120: 379-385.
Kasha, K.J., T.C. Hu, R. Oro, E. Simion and Y.S. Shim. (2001). Nuclear fusion leads to chromosome doubling during mannitol pretreatment of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) microspores. J. Exp. Botany 52: 1227-1238.
Shim, Y.S. and K.J. Kasha (2003). The influence of pretreatment on cell stage progression and the timing of DNA sysnthesis in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) uninucleate microspores. Plant Cell Rep. 21:1065-1071.
Kasha, K.J. (2007). Barley. In:Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Vol. 59. Transgenic Crops IV. Edited by E.C. Pua and M.R. Davey. Springer-Verlag. pp. 129-149.
Shim, Y.S., K.P. Pauls and K.J. Kasha (2009). Transformation of isolated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) microspores: II. Timing of pretreatment and temperatures relative to results of bombardment. Genome 52:175-190.
