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Albert P. Kausch |
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Perhaps, the main focal point of my research program is the use of transgenic plants for the study of basic biological questions in plant biology as well as for their practical applications in modern agriculture. The fact is that any gene from any organism can now be cloned and expressed in plants. This capability creates a wide range of possibilities from manipulating the plant genome to understand development to the introduction of new traits in crop plants. Also, this expertise is highly specialized. I have developed a laboratory at the facility in West Kingston RI that specializes in plant transgenics and molecular analysis of introduced traits. Indeed, as described in the previous section, I have also developed courses that involve students directly in training and research in this area on real life research projects (project based learning). My current research focus in on molecular improvement and gene discovery in grasses and cereal crops and the development of methods for the prevention of transgene escape. There are currently three major projects in the lab with a focus on these areas including: 1) the development of herbicide resistant creeping bentgrass that is engineered to be pollen sterile for the prevention of transgene escape 2) the development of a transposon mutagenesis library in rice for the identification and characterization of genes, and 3) the introduction and analysis of a lead responsive promoter driving the expression of an indicator gene for detection of lead in environmental situation as a method toward phytoremediation The production of herbicide resistant turfgrass that is male sterile has been accomplished (see references). This project has been conducted in collaboration with HybriGene Inc. in West Kingston, where I served as director for four years prior to my appointment at URI. This project has resulted in a good deal of controversy and is at the forefront on discussions concerning gene confinement in perennial plants. I am a co-inventor on two US PCT patent applications on gene confinement in perennial plants. I organized a major symposium on this topic at Yale University in May 2004 and will publish a Perspectives article in Nature Biotechnology as a summary. The development of a transposon mutagenesis library in rice is a functional genomics project that is currently being conducted with my graduate students in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Dellaporta at Yale University. Approximately half of the world’s population derives its caloric intake mainly from rice. While rice is one of the most densely genetically mapped plant genomes, and the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project recently completed the entire genome sequence of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cv. Nipponbare, the functional characterization of gene function remains to be determined. The generation of this library will accelerate the identification of gene function. Our lab has generated the transgenic rice plants and conducted essential gene expression studies. We have recently initiated a study that will investigate the possibility of using a lead responsive promoter to locate lead contaminated soils. Lead with trigger gene expression of an anthocyanin gene that will turn the plants red in the presence of lead contaminated soils. This project has been funded through a collaborative NIH SBIR to EdenSpace Inc with the work subcontacted to our lab. The project is one of the transgenic projects conducted by the students in the BCH 491 special topics course this year (see the previous section). If successful, we will have lead responsive plants by this spring. Recently, I have also developed the basis for a plant breeding program that has a focus on new vegetable development from existing world germplasm sources. This project has taken shape in the development of a new garlic vegetable called ‘Baby Green Garlic’. While this work does not involve genetic modification per se, a new vegetable product has been derived from good old fashioned varietial selection. I have identified specific varieties that can be used for the commercial production of this new garlic vegetable and this has resulted in a US PCT filed patentand the formation of a company called Ophios, that is now marketing the product. Now current research on garlic has focused on the genetics of the thiosulfinate pathway that produces allicin. In collaboration with Dr. Phillip Simon at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, we have identified varieties that produce high levels of allicin. A cDNA library from garlic has been screened to yield several clones encoding allicin. A full length genomic clone has also been isolated. We are now in the process of making constructs to evaluate the promoter region of that gene. The eventual goal is to understand the function of allicin in garlic. Preliminary bioassay analyses indicate that it provides resistance to various fungal and microbial plant pathogens. The possibility therefore would be to move this gene into other crop plants to confer this resistance. In addition we are evaluating methods to introduce new variations into the garlic genome. We have conducted experiments using EMS mutagenesis to introduce random variation to recover new varieties, we have used colchicine treatments to recover possible polyploids, and investigated a novel gene transfer technique. In addition we are exploring methods to make hybrid garlic, an accomplishment that has not been realized in garlic genetics. This work has involved the collaboration of Drs. John Mottinger and Phillip Simon. (B) Publications and Patents: (in chronological order) 1. Kausch, A.P., J.L. Seago, and L.C. Marsh. 1981. Changes in starch distribution in the over wintering organs of Typha latifolia (Typhaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 68:877-880. 2. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner, Jr. 1981. The relationship of air space formation and calcium oxalate crystal development in young leaves of Typha angustifolia L. (Typhaceae). Scanning Electron Microscopy III: 263-272. 3. Horner, H.T., A.P. Kausch, and B.L. Wagner. 1981. Growth and change in shape of raphide and druse calcium oxalate crystals as a function of intracellular development in Typha angustifolia L. (Typhaceae) and Capsicum annum L. (Solananceae). Scanning Electron Microscopy III:251-262. 4. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner. 1982. A comparison of calcium oxalate crystals from callus cultures and their explant sources. Scanning Electron Microscopy I: 199-211. 5. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner. 1983. The development of mucilaginous raphide crystal idioblasts in young leaves of Typha angustifolia L. (Typhaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 70:691-705. 6. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner. 1983. The development of synctial raphide crystal idioblasts in aerial roots of Vanilla planifolia L. Scanning Electron Microscopy II:893-903. 7. Kausch, A.P., B.L. Wagner and H.T. Horner. 1983. Use of the cerium chloride technique and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis to allow plant peroxisome identification. Protoplasma 118:1-9. 8. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner. 1984. Increased nuclear DNA content during raphide crystal idioblast development in Vanilla planifolia L. European J. Cell Biology 33:7-12. 9. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner. 1984. Differentiation of raphide crystal idioblasts in isolated root cultures of Yucca torreyi L. (Agavaceae). Can. J. Bot. 62 (7):1474-1488. 10. Kausch, A.P. 1984. The biogenesis and cytochemistry of unspecialized peroxisomes in root cortical cells of Yucca torreyi. European J. Cell Biology 34:239-247. 11. Kausch, A.P. and H.T. Horner. 1985. Absence of CeCl3 detectable glycolate oxidase activity in developing calcium oxalate raphide crystal idioblasts of Psychotria punctata and Yucca torreyi. Planta 164:35-40. 12. Kausch, A.P. 1985. Peroxisomal enzyme cytochemistry by cerium precipitation. In Handbook for Plant Histochemistry. K.C. Vaughn, Ed. CRC Press, Inc. 13. Timko, M., A.P. Kausch, L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montagu, and A.R. Cashmore. 1985. The structure and expression of nuclear genes encoding polypeptides of the photosynthetic apparatus. In: The Molecular Biology of the Photosynthetic Apparatus. C. Arntzen, L. Bogorad, S. Bonitz, and K. Steinback Eds. Cold Spring Harbor Press. 14. Herrera-Estrella, L.G. Van den Broeck, M. Timko, A. Kausch, A. Cashmore, J. Schell, and M. Van Montagu. 1985. The use of chimeric genes to study the light-inducible gene expression of chloroplast import of the small-subunit of ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase. In The Molecular Biology of the Photosynthetic Apparatus. C. Arntzen, L. Bogorad, S. Bonitz, and K. Steinback, Eds. Cold Spring Harbor. 15. Van den Broeck, G., M.P. Timko, A.P. Kausch, A.R. Cashmore, M. Van Montagu, and L. Herrera-Estrella. 1985. Targeting of a foreign protein to chloroplasts by fusion to the transit peptide from the small subunit of ribulose-1,4-biphosphate carboxylase. Nature 313:358-363. 16. Timko, M.P., A.P. Kausch, C. Castresana, J. Fassler, L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montagu, and A.R. Cashmore. 1985. Expression of RuBP carboxylase small subunit genes involves sequences with enhancer-like properties. In Plant Genetics, UCLA Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology, New Series, Volume 35, (ed., M. Freeling), Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York. 17. Cashmore, A., L. Szabo, M. Timko, A. Kausch, G. Van den Broeck, P. Schreier, H. Bohnert, L. Herrera-Estrella, M. Van Montagu, and J. Schell. 1985. Import of polypeptides into chloroplasts. Bio/Technology 3:803-808. 18. Pichersky, E., R. Bernatsky, S. Tanksley, R.W. Breidenbach, A.P. Kausch and A.R. Cashmore. 1985. Molecular characterization and genetic mapping of two clusters of genes encoding chlorophyll a/b binding proteins in Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato). Gene 40:247-258. 19. Timko, M.P., A.P. Kausch, C. Castresana, J. Fassler, L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montagu, and A.R. Cashmore, 1985. An enhancer-like element mediates light-inducible ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene expression. Nature (Lond.) 318:579-582. 20. Smereka, K.J., W.E. MacHardy, and A.P. Kausch. 1987. Cellular differentiation of Venturia inaequalis ascospores during germination and penetration of apple leaves. Can. J. Bot. 65:2549-2561. 21. Smereka, K.J., A.P. Kausch and W. E. MacHardy. 1988. Intracellular junctional structures in the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Protoplasma 142:1-4. 22. Gordon-Kamm, W.J., T.M. Spencer, M.L. Mangano, T.R. Adams, R.J. Daines, W.G. Start, J.V. O'Brien, S.A. Chambers, W.R. Adams, Jr., N.G. Willetts, T.B. Rice, C.J. Mackey, R.W. Krueger, A.P. Kausch, and 23. 23. P.G. Lemaux. 1990. Transformation of maize cells and regeneration of fertile transgenic plants. The Plant Cell 2:603-618. 24. Gordon-Kamm, W.J., T.M. Spencer, M.L. Mangano, T.R. Adams, R.J. Daines, W.G. Start, J.V. O'Brien, S.A. Chambers, W.R. Adams, Jr., N.G. Willetts, T.B. Rice, C.J. Mackey, R.W. Krueger, A.P. Kausch, and P.G. Lemaux. 1991. Transformation of Maize Using Microprojectile Bombardment: An Update and Perspective. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. 27:21-27. 25. Mackey, C. J., T. M. Spencer, T. R. Adams, A. P Kausch, W. J. Gordon-Kamm, P. G. Lemaux, and R. W. Kreuger. 1992. Transgenic Maize. in Transgenic Plants, Vol. 2. H. C. Kung and K C. Wu Eds. Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, CA 26. Kausch, A.P. and B.D. Bruce. 1994. Isolation and immobilization of various plastid subtypes by magnetic immunoabsorption. The Plant Journal 6 (5) 767-779. 27. Kausch, A.P., T. R. Adams, M.L. Mangano, S. Zachwieja, N. G. Willetts, S. A. Chambers, W. Adams, Jr., Amy Anderson, Geoff Williams, G. Haines. 1995. Effects of microprojectile bombardment on embryogenic suspension cell cultures of maize (Zea mays L.) used for genetic transformation. Planta 196: 501-509. 28. Sonti, Srinivas, Matthew Griffor, Takeshi Sano, Sandya Narayanswami, Arijit Bose, Charles Cantor, and Albert P. Kausch. 1995. Large Scale Isolation of plant expression cassette by magnetic triple helix affinity capture. Nucleic Acids Research 23:19. 29. Kausch, A.P., T.P. Owen, and B.D. Bruce. 1999. Organelle Isolation By Magnetic Immuno-absorption. Biotechniques Vol. 26:336-343. 30. Knapp, J., Kausch, A.P., and J. Chandlee. 2000. Stable Transformation of three genera of Orchids. Plant Cell Reports 19: 893-898. 31. Horner, H.T., A.P. Kausch, and B.L. Wagner. 2000. Ascorbic acid serves as precursor for oxalate synthesis in calcium oxalate idioblasts of Yucca torreyi in liquid root cultures. International Journal of Plant Sciences 161 (6):861-868. 32. Kausch, A.P., T. Page Owen, S. Zachweija, Adam R. Flynn, and J. Sheen 2001. Mesophyll specific, light and metabolic regulation of the C4 PPCZm1 promoter in transgenic maize. Plant Molecular Biology 45 (1) 1-16. 33. Knapp, J., Kausch, A.P., Auer, C. and M. Brand. 2001. Transformation of Rhododendron through Microprojectile Bombardment. Plant Cell Reports 20:749-754. 34. Luo, Hong and Albert P. Kausch (2002) Application of FLP/FRT site-specific DNA recombination system in plants. In Genetic Engineering, Principles and Methods, Vol. 24, Setlow JK (ed.), Kluwer Academic/Pleum Publishers, New York, NY, pp.1-16. 35. Wang, Y. B. Ruemmele, J. Chandlee, M. Sullivan, J. Knapp. and Albert Kausch. 2002 Embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration media for bentgrasses and annual bluegrass. In Vitro Biol. 38:460-467 36. Wang, Y., M. Browning, B. Ruemmele, J. Chandlee, Albert Kausch, and Noel Jackson. 2003 Glufonsinate reduces fungal diseases in transgenic glufosinate-resistant bentgrasses. Weed Science 51:130-137. 37. Basu, C., Kausch, A.P. Luo, H., and J. Chandlee 2003. Promoter analysis in transient assays using a GUS Reporter gene construct in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris, L.) Journal of Plant Physiology 160:1233-1239. 38. Basu, C., Kausch, A.P. Luo, H., and J. Chandlee 2003 Transient reporter (GUS) expression in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) is affected by in vivo nucleolytic activity. Biotechnology Letter 25:939-944. 39. Wang, Yuexia Albert P. Kausch, Hong Luo, Joel M. Chandlee, B.A. Ruemmele, M. Browning, N. Jackson and M. R. Goldsmith (2003) Co-transfer and expression of chitinase, glucanase, and bar genes in creeping bentgrass for conferring fungal disease resistance. Plant Science 165:497-506. 40. Luo, Hong Qian Hu, Kimberly Nelson, Chip Longo and Albert P. Kausch (2003) Controlling transgene escape in genetically modified grasses. In: Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf, Hopkins A, Wang ZY, Mian R, Sledge M and Barker R (eds.), Kluwer Academic Publishers. 41. Luo, Hong, Qian Hu, Kimberly Nelson, Chip Longo, Albert P. Kausch, Joel M. Chandlee, Joseph K. Wipff and Crystal Rose Fricker (2004) Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) transformation using phosphinothricin selection results in a high frequency of single-copy transgene integration. Plant Cell Reports 22: 645-652. 42. Melvin J. Oliver, Hong Luo, Albert Kausch, Harry Collins (2004) Seed-based strategies for transgene containment. In: Proceedings of 8th International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms, International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR), September 26-30, 2004, Montpellier, France, pp. 154-161. 43. Chip Longo, Colin Lickwar, Qian Hu, Kimberly Nelson, David Viola, Joel Hague, Joel M. Chandlee, Hong Luo and Albert P. Kausch, (2005a) Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of turfgrasses. In: Methods in Molecular Biology - Agrobacterium Protocols (2nd edition), Wang K (ed.) The Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ (in press). 44. Luo, Hong, Albert Kausch, Qian Hu, Kimberly Nelson, Joseph K. Wipff, Crystal R. Fricker, T. Page Owen, Maria Moreno, Jang-Yong Lee, and Thomas K. Hodges. Chip Longo, Joel M. Chandlee, (2005c) Controlling transgene escape in GM creeping bentgrass Molecular Breeding (in press) 45. Hong Luo, J-Y Lee, TK Hodges, TK Eitas, C. Lickwar, AP Kausch, JM Chandlee, Q, Hu, K Nelson (2005e) RTS, an anther-specific gene isolated from rice is required for male fertility and its promoter sequence directs tissue-specific transcription in dicotyledonous species. The Plant Journal (submitted). 1. 1985. Targeting of foreign proteins to chloroplasts by chimeric gene constructions encoding transit peptides. Plant Genetic Systems (Issued: applicant). European Patent Office. Co-inventors L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, P. Schreier, H.J. Bohnert, A.R. Cashmore, M. Timko, A.P. Kausch, J. Schell. (Plant Genetic Sciences (PGS), Ghent Belgium: assignee) 2. 1988 A method for molecular transformation of Pisum sativum. Albert P. Kausch; Del Monte Corp. (applicant). 1988 USA Patent Office. 3. 1996 Methods and compositions for the production of stably transformed, fertile monocot plants and cells thereof. Thomas R Adams, Sheryl A. Chambers, Richard J. Daines, William J. Gordon-Kamm, Albert P. Kausch, Peggy G. Lemaux, Catherine J. Mackey, Mary L. Mangano, James V. O’Brien, Thomas B. Rice, T. Michael Spencer, William G. Start, Nancy G. Willetts. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: August 27, 1996). USA Patent Office. Patent Number 5,550,318. 4. 1996 Isolation of biological materials using magnetic particles. Albert P. Kausch, Sandya Narayanswami, Jerry E. Manning, Barbara Hamkalo; Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: April 16, 1996) applicant). USA Patent Office. Patent Number 5,508,164. 5. 1996 Process of producing fertile transgenic Zea Mays plants and progeny comprising a gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyl transferase. Thomas R Adams, Sheryl A. Chambers, Richard J. Daines, William J. Gordon-Kamm, Albert P. Kausch, Peggy G. Lemaux, Catherine J. Mackey, Mary L. Mangano, James V. O’Brien, Thomas B. Rice, T. Michael Spencer, William G. Start, Nancy G. Willetts. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: February 6, 1996). USA Patent Office. Patent Number 5,489,520. 6. 1997 Isolation of biological materials. Albert P. Kausch and Sandya Narayanswami Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: September 9, 1997) USA Patent Office. Number 5,665,582 7. 1998 Chimaeric gene coding for a transit peptide and a heterologous peptide. L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montague, P. Schreier, J. Schell, H.J. Bohnert, A.R. Cashmore, M. Timko, A.P. Kausch,. Assignees : Plant Genetic Sciences (PGS), Ghent Belgium; and, Bayer A.G. Leverkusen. (Issued February 10, 1998) USA Patent Office. Number 5,717,084 8. 1998 Transgenic maize with increased mannitol content. T. R. Adams, P. C. Anderson, R. J. Daines, W. Gordon-Kamm, A. P. Kausch, M. T. Mann, P. M. Orr, D. C. Warner. Assignee: DEKALB Genetics Corporation (Issued: July 14, 1998). USA Patent Office. Number 5,780,709 9. 1998 Chimaeric gene coding for a transit peptide and a heterologous polypeptide. L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montague, P. Schreier, J. Schell, H.J. Bohnert, A.R. Cashmore, M. Timko, A.P. Kausch. Assignees : Plant Genetic Sciences (PGS), Ghent Belgium; and, Bayer A.G. Leverkusen. (Issued March 17, 1998) USA Patent Office. Number 5,728,925 10. 1998 USA Patent application *(Improved method for plant transformation) Albert P. Kausch , Dennis R. Genovesi, Susan Zachweija Thomas R Adams, Sheryl A. Chambers , Mary L. Mangano, T. Michael Spencer. Applicant: DEKALB Plant Genetics. 11. 1999 Methods and compositions for the production of stably transformed, fertile monocot plants and cells thereof. Thomas R Adams, Sheryl A. Chambers, Richard J. Daines, William J. Gordon-Kamm, Albert P. Kausch, Peggy G. Lemaux, Catherine J. Mackey, Mary L. Mangano, James V. O’Brien, Thomas B. Rice, T. Michael Spencer, William G. Start, Nancy G. Willetts. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: February 23, 1999). USA Patent Office. Patent Number 5,874,265 12. 1999 Methods and compositions for the production of stably transformed, fertile monocot plants and cells thereof. Thomas R Adams, Sheryl A. Chambers, Richard J. Daines, William J. Gordon-Kamm, Albert P. Kausch, Peggy G. Lemaux, Catherine J. Mackey, Mary L. Mangano, James V. O’Brien, Thomas B. Rice, T. Michael Spencer, William G. Start, Nancy G. Willetts. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: July 6, 1999). USA Patent Office. Patent Number 5,919,675 13. 1999 Methods and compositions for the production of stably transformed, fertile monocot plants and cells thereof. Thomas R Adams, Sheryl A. Chambers, Richard J. Daines, William J. Gordon-Kamm, Albert P. Kausch, Peggy G. Lemaux, Catherine J. Mackey, Mary L. Mangano, James V. O’Brien, Thomas B. Rice, T. Michael Spencer, William G. Start, Nancy G. Willetts. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics (Issued: October 19, 1999). USA Patent Office. Patent Number 5,969,213. 14. 2000 Chimaeric gene coding for a transit peptide and a heterologous polypeptide. L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montague, P. Schreier, J. Schell. H.J. Bohnert, A.R. Cashmore, M. Timko, A.P. Kausch, Assignees : Plant Genetic Sciences (PGS), Ghent Belgium; and, Bayer A.G. Leverkusen. (Issued May 16, 2000) USA Patent Office. Number 6,063,601. 15. 2000 Methods and compositions for transformation of Rhododendron spp. by microprojectile bombardment. M. Brand. C. Auer. J. Knapp, and Albert Kausch. Assignee: University of Connecticut USA Patent Office (Application). 16. 2000 Chimaeric gene coding for a transit peptide and a heterologous polypeptide. L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montague, P. Schreier, J. Schell. H.J. Bohnert, A.R. Cashmore, M. Timko, A.P. Kausch, Assignees : Plant Genetic Sciences (PGS), Ghent Belgium; and, Bayer A.G. Leverkusen. (Issued October 10, 2000) USA Patent Office. Number 6,130366. 17. 2000 A Method for Transformation of Alfalfa. Anthony, J., Vlahova, M., Atanas, A. and Kausch, Assignee: HybriGene L.L.C. USA Patent Office (Application). 18. 2000 Maize chloroplast aldolase promoter compositions and methods for use thereof.” N. Houmard, L. B. Laccetti, E M. Orozco, and A.P. Kausch Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics US Patent Application No, 09/757,089 USA 19. 2000 Method for reduction of transgene copy number Brenda Lowe, Michael Spencer and Albert P. Kausch. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics. (Issued November 28, 2000) USA Patent Office. Number 6,153,811 20. 2001 Transgenic monocot plants with increased glycine betaine content. . T. R. Adams, P. C. Anderson, R. J. Daines, W. Gordon-Kamm, A. P. Kausch, M. T. Mann, P. M. Orr, D. C. Warner. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics US (Issued August 28, 2001) USA Patent Office. Number 6,281,411 21. 2001 Site-specific recombination in turfgrass species . Luo, H. and A Kausch. Assignee: HybriGene L.L.C. USA Patent Office (PCT Application). 22. 2002 Process of producing male sterile transgenic grasses and cereals, and their progeny. Luo, H.and Kausch. Assignee: HybriGene L.L.C. USA Patent Office (PCT Application). 23. 2002 Methods and compositions for the production of stably transformed, male sterile monocot plants and cells thereof. Luo, H. and A Kausch. Assignee: HybriGene L.L.C. USA Patent Office (Application). 24. 2002 Methods and compositions for the production of stably transformed, fertile monocot plants and cells thereof. Anderson, Paul C.; Flick, Christopher E.; Gordon-Kamm, William J.; Kausch, Albert P.; Mackey, Catherine J.; Orozco, Emil M.; Orr, Peter; Stephens, Michael A.;; Walters, David A.; Walters, Donald S. Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics US (Issued ) USA Patent Office. Number Assignee: DEKALB Plant Genetics US (Issued June 4, 2002) USA Patent Office. Number 6,399,861 25. 2003 Prevention of transgene escape in genetically modified perennials. Luo, H., Hu, Q., Nelson, K., Longo ,J., and A. Kausch. USA Patent Office February 7 2003 (PCT Application). 26. 2004 Methods and Compositions for the Large Scale production of Fresh Green Garlic. A Kausch, Peter Sellew, and Mark Sellew Provisional Application 27. 2005 Green Garlic and Methods of Production. A. Kausch and Peter Sellew USA Patent Office May 5 2005 (PCT Application Number 60/568,354). ‡ the listed patent applications are in various stages of issuance; thirteen (13) are issued US patents, one (1) is an issued European patent, four (4) are PCT applications, four (4) are provisional applications, and two (2) are responding to review. *Because of signed confidentiality agreements, I am not permitted to provide exact titles, disclose filing dates and other designations to some of these documents. Dr. Kausch has published over a hundred and twenty abstracts for meetings and poster presentations at state, national, and international conferences since 1980 (titles available on request). Agricultural Biotechnology Experience in Private Industry: Brief Descriptions of Activities and Accomplishments Pfizer, Inc. Research Scientist (1988-1992) Head of Plant Cell Culture/Corn Transformation Research team developed first genetically modified corn plants. Directed project to develop appropriate cell culture, gene transfer and selection system for transformation of corn. (see US patent Numbers 5,489,520 and 5,550,318). Managed a team of nine research and technical assistants. Developed a project on magnetic separation of bio-macromolecules, cells and organelles (see US patent No. 5,508,164). DeKalb Genetics Corporation Senior Research Scientist (1992-1993) Head of Yield Stability Managed team of nine full time employees. Yield Stability; Drought Tolerance; and Transformation Technology Development in Corn, Developed project on drought tolerant maize by genetic engineering approaches with a research group of five research assistants (see US patent 5,780,709;1998). DeKalb Genetics Corporation Senior Project Scientist (1993-1994) Head of Transformation Technology Development Directed Transformation Technology Development in maize at DeKalb Genetics. Focus: Transformation development research in maize (see US patents, 6,281,411; 2001, 5,874,265; 1999 and 5,489,520; 1996) Established a program for Undergraduate Independent studies students and student internships between DeKalb Genetics, Connecticut College and the University of Rhode Island DeKalb Genetics Corporation Senior Project Leader (1994-1997) Head of Transformation Technology Development Gene targeting by site directed integration via Cre/Lox system ; promoter and gene expression studies; gene silencing Development of a promoter evaluation research project to study product gene expression in transgenic maize. Evaluation of CaMV 35S, aldolase, rice actin 1, and maize adh1. Developed educational materials and tours of the facility regarding biotechnology and gene transfer to corn. Ig. Tech, Inc. Co-Founder & Consultant 1997 Co-Founding member, as plant molecular biologist, of an effort to produce antibodies in plants for animal health care products. Raised over $2.8 million in financing. Sold company to multi-nationals. HybriGene Inc. Vice President/Director of Research (present) Gene Discovery and Genetic Improvement in Grasses and Cereal Crops HybriGene Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company focusing on genetic improvement in turfgrasses and cereal crops. Responsibilities include direction and management of the laboratory in West Kingston RI, licensing arrangements, patent preparation and intellectual property; grant (SBIR) and business plan writing, etc. Have raised over $ 3.2 million in financing. Designed transgenic laboratory for transformation of turf crops and exotic grasses and maintain direction of the Rose student internship program or undergraduates at URI. Responsible for hiring scientific all staff for molecular biology and plant transformation laboratory in West Kingston RI. Trait development and trait gene acquisition for crop improvement in alfalfa, forage, and cool-season turf species. Management of fifteen full time employees. Development of university and industry collaborations in the United States and Eastern Europe. Licensing of genes and technology. Development of University/Industry interactions. Ophios LLC Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Research: An Agri-Food Production Company specializing in Fresh Green Garlic. Established and invented a new vegetable called Fresh Green Garlic, patent pending. Selected Major Scientific Achievements and Contributions in Biotechnology Demonstrated targeting of foreign proteins in transgenic plants. (Postdoctoral ) Four major worldwide patents. This technology has been used in all Round-up Ready crops. Co-inventor on four major world wide patents for the use of the transit peptide for targeting any foreign protein to chloroplasts in transgenic plants USA patent numbers 5,717,084; 5,728,925, 6,063,601 , and 6130366). This technology is currently applied in all Round-up Ready and many Bt driven insect resistant plants ( a total of over 140 million acres in the US, including cotton, wheat, rice, corn, and soybeans)These patents derive from work conducted during Dr. Kausch’s postdoctoral at the Rockefeller University in collaboration with Plant Genetic Systems, Inc. and Marc Van Montague’s laboratory in Gent Belgium. Co-inventor on several major patents for corn transformation (for example, see US patent numbers 5,489,520 and 5,550,318): these patents attracted world-wide attention and had a significant affect on DeKalb stock. This work focused on development of corn transformation by microprojectile bombardment and the production of herbicide resistant plants. Additional patents in transformation related areas resulted in a related family of IP. Designed, organized, and coordinated an effort focused on several molecular approaches to Yield Stability (for example, see US patent number 5,780,709) for traits including drought tolerance, chilling and freeze tolerance, salt tolerance and others in corn. Contributions as a co-inventor resulted in filed patent applications. Collaborated on projects related to enhanced Grain Quality. Conceived, and to developed early technology for biological magnetic separation technology. This work resulted in two issued patents. Procedures for large scale DNA insert isolation by triple helix magnetic affinity capture (Nucleic Acids Res. 1995, 19:26) resulted in a commercially produced kit marketed by Boerhinger Mannhiem. Inventor of technology and methods for immuno-isolation of biological materials including chromosomes and organelles (see references and attached patent, US patent No. 5,508,164) Designed five (5) Plant Transgenics Laboratory Facilities Genetic transformation technology development in many species (maize, rice, tobacco, Arabidopsis, pea, rhododendron, alfalfa, and many turfgrass species) by many techniques (Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, biolistics, protoplast electroporation, silicon carbide-mediated direct DNA uptake, and many others). Development of novel transformation methods for plants. Development of a transgene targeting/excision systems by the site-specific Cre/lox recombination system and FLP/FRT recombination system for transgenic plants. Developed molecular strategies for the prevention of transgene escape. Developed and directed research for new transgenic turfgrass varieties including male sterile herbicide resistant turfgrass Penn A4. Obliviously, my work in corporations was funded by the industry. More recently the research projects have been funded by a combination of federal and industry support as shown below. AMGEN Foundation Rhode Island. Titled-“Production of a Distance Learning Course at URI and Auto-tutorial Educational Materials on DNA, Genetics, and Current Topics in Biotechnology.” Albert Kausch and lifeedu $ 25,000.00 (pending) Monsanto Foundation St. Louis. Titled-“Production of a Distance Learning Course at URI and Auto-tutorial Educational Materials on DNA, Genetics, and Current Topics in Biotechnology.” Albert Kausch and lifeedu $ 50,000.00 (pending) Corporate Sponsorships from Scotts Co., Delta Pine and Land Co. John Deere Co., Monsanto Co., EPIC Wisconsin Inc., HybriGene Inc., Bayer Crop Science, and Tee-Green Corp. Titled-“Gene Confinement for Genetically Modified Grasses.” A Symposium co-sponsored by Yale University’s Interdisciplinary Bioethics Projects, Yale University New Haven, CT and lifeedu.org $40,000. NRICGP-USDA- Equipment Grant Program. Titled- “Infrastructure for Plant Biotechnology at URI.” 2005 Albert Kausch,. and Hong Luo $33,868.00 USDA Special Programs Grant. Titled- “Environmental Biotechnology at URI.” J. Seemann, T. Bradley, M. Gomez-Chiarri, A. Kausch, T. Mather, and D. Nelson. 2005 $572,604.00 USDA-Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant Titled- “Development of controlled total vegetative growth for prevention of transgene escape from genetically modified turfgrass.” 2005 H. Luo, A.Kausch, J. Chandlee, M. Oliver. $399,982.00 USDA-CSREES Titled-“Educating the Educators: With Further Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology Education Enrichment for the K-12 School Teachers” 2005 Jeff Adelberg; Richard Wallace; Carol M. Stiff; Albert Kausch, Bruce W Wood. $256,427.00 Pfizer Foundation. Titled-“Production of a Distance Learning Course and Educational Materials on DNA, Genomics, and Current Topics in Biotechnology.” Albert Kausch and lifeedu $ 15,000.00 (active) NRICGP-USDA-Seed Grant Program. Titled- “Infrastructure for Plant Biotechnology at URI.” 2004 Joel Chandlee, Hong Luo and Albert Kausch,. $49,612.00 Rhode Island School-to-Career Strategic Focus & Core Elements of INVESTMENT 2004 Region II Southern Rhode Island Collaborative. Gerard Bertrand and Albert Kausch $25,000.00 (active) Slater Center for Marine and Environmental Biotechnology Program Phase I. Titled-“Ophios: An agricultural biotechnology company that specializes in production and development of hardneck garlic varieties.” 2004. Albert Kausch and Peter Sellew $80,000.00 (active) AMGEN Foundation Rhode Island. Titled-“Production of a Distance Learning Course and Auto-tutorial Educational Materials on DNA, Genetics, and Current Topics in Biotechnology.” Albert Kausch and lifeedu $ 98,000.00 (active) Pfizer Foundation. Titled-“Production of a Distance Learning Course and Auto-tutorial Educational Materials on DNA, Genetics, and Current Topics in Biotechnology.” Albert Kausch and lifeedu $ 50,000.00 (active) USDA-SBIR Program. Phase I Titled ’ Use of site specific recombination for hybrid rice production.” 2003 Albert Kausch, and Hong Luo. $75,000.00 NRICGP-USDA-Seed Grant Program. Titled- “Stable expression of yeast FLP site specific recombinase in rice.” 2001 Albert Kausch, Joel Chandlee, and Hong Luo. $74,945.00 USDA-AES-Hatch Production and Analysis of Transgenic Lines Used for Functional Genomics of Rice. 2003 Albert Kausch, Joel Chandlee, and Hong Luo. $63,000.00 (active) Pfizer Foundation. Titled-“Initiation of a new nonprofit organization for the production and creation of educational materials on DNA, Genetics and Biotechnology: Lifeedu.org Albert Kausch and lifeedu $ 50,000.00 Rose Environmental Biotechnology Undergraduate Student Internship Program. Titled- “ Undergraduate biotechnology laboratory experience.” 2003. Albert Kausch and Bill Rose. $41,000.00 Slater Center for Marine and Environmental Biotechnology Program Phase II. Titled-“Genetic modification for Turfgrass Improvement.” 2003. Albert Kausch and Bill Rose $100,000.00 Rose Environmental Biotechnology Undergraduate Student Internship Program. Titled- “ Undergraduate biotechnology laboratory experience.” 2002. Albert Kausch and Bill Rose. $43,000.00 Rose Environmental Biotechnology Undergraduate Student Internship Program. Titled- “ Undergraduate biotechnology laboratory experience.” 2001. Albert Kausch and Bill Rose. $13,000.00 Slater Center for Environmental Biotechnology Program. Phase I Titled-“Genetic modification for Turfgrass Improvement.” 2000. Albert Kausch $87,000.00 AgriBiotech Inc. Corporate Graduate Student Fellowship Award. Titled-“Genetic Modification of Turfgrass.” 2000 Albert Kausch, $13,700.00 Funding awarded to Chhandak Basu as a Ph.D. Grant. USDA-Higher Education Challenge Grants Program. Titled-“Providing Undergraduate Experiential Learning Opportunities in Plant Biotechnology.” Joel Chandlee, Albert Kausch and W. M. Sullivan 1999 $88,000.00 NRICGP-USDA-Equipment Grant . University of Rhode Island. Titled-“Equipment request to strengthen infrastructure for plant biology research at URI” Joel Chandlee and Albert Kausch 1999. $24,610.00 The Champlin Foundations. University of Rhode Island. Titled- “The Environmental Biotechnology Initiative: Establishment of a Multi-User Facility for Transgenics Training and Research.” Terry Bradley and Albert Kausch. 1999. $149,409.00 available upon request
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