Pacific Southwest Research Station

Education

M.S. Genetics, University of California, Davis (1997)
B.S. Animal Conservation, California State University, Sacramento (1981)

Research Interests/Duties

In collaboration with the University of California, Davis (UCD), I participate in research focused on genomic analyses of adaptive traits in conifers. Molecular markers and sequence data are used in construction of genetic maps, identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL), studying intra- and inter-specific variation in gene DNA sequences, and association studies.

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb] Franco) is a dominant species of the temperate forests of North America. It occupies a large range and its ability to adapt to climatic, latitudinal and elevational clines makes it a prime candidate for genomic dissection of traits respondent to a rapidly changing climate. Phenology, cold-adaptation and water-use efficiency are among the traits being investigated in Douglas-fir (UCD DFGP).

The white pines (often called the '5-needle' pines) belong to the Pinus subgenus Strobus and are susceptible to an exotic fungal pathogen (Cronartium ribicola) which causes white pine blister rust. This invasive pathogen was introduced to North America in the early 1900's and early attempts for eradication failed. Fortunately, innate immunity to the rust has been discovered in many of the species tested. We are interested in discovery of the gene(s) responsible for both complete and partial resistance for the purpose of 1) gaining an understanding of the genetic and biochemical processes involved in pathogen-host interaction, 2) development of diagnostic markers for identifying resistant trees in wild populations, and 3) monitoring the frequency of resistance genes across landscapes subjected to rapidly changing climates (UCD WPGP). Also, under development is the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with abiotic adaptation, i.e., phenology, water-use efficiency and cold-tolerance (UCD WHiSP). These data will facilitate present and future evaluation of subpopulation structure and genetic-environmental associations in the white pines, particularly in high-elevation species where climate modeling paints a dismal picture.

Selected Publications

Jermstad, Kathleen D.; Eckert, AJ; Wegrzyn, JL; Delfino-Mix, A; Davis, DA; Burton, DC; Neale, DB. (2010) Comparative mapping in Pinus: sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana Dougl.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.).Tree Genet Genomes Online First DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11295-010-0347-1

AJ Eckert, JL Wegrzyn, B Pande, KD Jermstad, JM Lee, JD Liechty, BR Tearse, KV Krutovsky, and DB Neale. 2009. Multilocus patterns of nucleotide diversity and divergence reveal positive selection at candidate genes related to cold hardiness in coastal Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii). Genetics, 183(1): 289-298.

AJ Eckert, AD Bower, JL Wegrzyn, B Pande, KD Jermstad, KV Krutovsk, JB St. Clair, and DB Neale. 2009. Association Genetics of Coastal Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii, Pinaceae). I. Cold-Hardiness Related Traits. Genetics, 182: 1289-1302. DOI: 10.1534/genetics.109.102350

KD Jermstad, LA Sheppard, BB Kinloch, A Delfino-Mix, ES Ersoz, KV Krutovsky and DB Neale. 2006. Isolation of a full-length CC-NBS-LRR resistance gene analog candidate from sugar pine showing low nucleotide diversity. Tree Genetics and Genomes. (Online First) DOI: 10.1007/s11295-006-0039-z

Wheeler N.C., Jermstad K.D., Krutovsky K.V., Aitken S.N., Howe G.T., Krakowski J., and Neale D.B. 2005. Mapping Of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Adaptive Traits in Coastal Douglas-Fir. IV. Cold-Hardiness QTL Verification and Candidate Gene Mapping. Molecular Breeding, 15(2): 145-156.

Krutovsky KV, M. Troggio, GR Brown, KD Jermstad, DB Neale. 2004. Comparative Mapping in the Pinaceae. Genetics 168(1): 447-461

Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Ritchie GA, Wheeler NC, Neale DB. 2003. Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir. III. QTL by environment interactions. Genetics, 165:1489-1506.

Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Wheeler NC, Neale, DB. 2001a. Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir. I. Timing of vegetative bud flush. Theor. Appl. Genet. 102:1142-1151.

Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Wheeler NC, Anekonda TS, Aitken SN, Adams WT, Neale DB. 2001b Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir II Spring and fall cold-hardiness. Theor Appl Genet 97:762-770.

Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Wheeler NC, Neale DB. 1998a A sex-averaged genetic linkage map in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb] Franco var menziesii) based on RFLP and RAPD markers. Theor Appl Genet 97:762-770.

Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Kinlaw CS, Neale DB. 1998b. Partial DNA sequencing of Douglas-fir cDNAs used in RFLP mapping. Theor Appl Genet 97:771-776.

Jermstad KD, Reem AM, Henifin JR, Wheele, NC and Neale DB. 1994. Inheritance of restriction fragment length polymorphisms, random amplified polymorphic DNAs and isozymes in coastal Douglas-fir. Theor Appl Genet 89:6.

Ahuja MR, Devey ME, Groover AT, Jermstad KD, Neale DB. 1994. DNA probes from loblolly pine detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms in other conifers. Theor Appl Genet 88:279-282.

Gocme, B, Wheeler NC, Jermstad KD and Neale DB. 1993. Linkage analysis in Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) using random amplified DNA polymorphisms. In: Proc of the International Yew Resources Conference, Taxus conservation biology and interactions March 12-13, 1993 Berkeley, California, USA.

K D Jermstad, PA Guge, ER Carroll, ST Friedman and DB Neale 1993. Genetic fingerprinting of longleaf pine seed orchard clones following Hurricane Hugo. Tree Planter's Notes Vol 44, No 4.

Neale DB, Devey ME, Jermstad KD, Ahuja, MR, Alosi, MC, Marshall, KA. 1992. Use of DNA markers in forest tree improvement research. New Forests 6: 391-407.

Devey MD, Jermstad KD, Tauer CG, and Neale DB. 1991. Inheritance of RFLP loci in a loblolly pine three-generation pedigree. Theor Appl Genet 83:238-242.

Neale DB, Tauer CG, Gorzo DM and Jermstad KD. 1989. Restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping in loblolly pine: Methods, applications, and limitations pp 363-372 In: Proc 20th Southern Forest Tree Imp conf, Charleston, South Carolina The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia.