Ken J. Kasha

Ken Kasha
University Professor Emeritus
OC, FRSC, LLD(hc)

Education:

B.Sc. (Agr.) University of Alberta;
M.Sc. University of Alberta;
PhD. University of Minnesota

Location:

Room:

Haploids, barley, wheat, cytogenetics, transformation

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.

Courses:

Relevant Links:

Selected Publications:

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.

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. and K.J. Kasha. (2003). The influence of pretreatment on cell stage progression and the timing of DNA synthesis in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) uninucleate microspores. Plant Cell Reports. 21: 1065-1071.

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. Journal of Experimental Botany. 52: 1227-1238.

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.

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 (3): 432-441.