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Katherine Easterling
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Research Molecular Biologist
Education:
Ph.D. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 2019, Florida State University
B.S. Biological Science, 2013, Florida State University
Research Interests:
Exploring and describing insect vector gene expression in tree fruit phytoplasma pathosystems.
Aims:
To better understand the molecular mechanisms of phytoplasma infection in insect vectors related to tree fruit disease through comparative transcriptomics and gene ontology, with the ultimate goal of immunizing insect to phytoplasma infection, enabling pesticide use reduction.
Current Research:
- Analyzing gene expression differences in clean versus infected insect vectors that affect tree fruit, specifically pear decline and X-disease in cherry.
- Identifying genes involved in molecular interactions between host insects and phytoplasma.
- Applying gene modification tools for functional assessment of putative pathosystem genes to insect vectors.
Publications:
Katherine A. Easterline, PhD - Google Scholar
- (Clicking on the reprint icon
will take you to the publication reprint.)
- Gene expression profiling of Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) infected with Ca. Phytoplasma pyri (Acholeplasmatales: Acholeplasmataceae) reveals candidate effectors and mechanisms of infection -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Easterling, K.A., Marshall, A.T., Pitino, M., Walker Iii, W.B., Cooper, W.R. 2024. Gene expression profiling of Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) infected with Ca. Phytoplasma pyri (Acholeplasmatales: Acholeplasmataceae) reveals candidate effectors and mechanisms of infection. Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae074.
- (Clicking on the reprint icon
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