Müller, Kirsten M - University of Waterloo

个人简介

Kirsten Müller carries out research in Phycology and is a world expert on the Bangiales. Freshwater and Marine Algae Phylogeny Taxonomy Systematics Biogeography Invasive species Bloom forming algae Evolution Journal of Phycology, Associate Editor Communications Director for the Phycological Society of America, Elected Director Science Undergraduate First Year Courses Committee Canadian Phycological Culture Collection, Director 1999 PhD Botany, University of Guelph 1995 BSc Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland

研究领域

The red algae (Rhodophyta) are an ancient lineage with some members being reported in the fossil record as far back as 1.2 billion years. This group is of considerable economic importance since they contain compounds (agar, carrageenan, etc.) that are used extensively as thickeners in products such as yogurt, ice cream and toothpaste. Genera such as Porphyra (aka. Nori, laverbread) and Palmaria (a.k.a. Dulse) are important food sources and are global billion dollar aquaculture industries. In addition, the red algae are a critical group in the evolution of photosynthetic life on earth through secondary endosymbiosis of chloroplasts. This simply means that several lineages currently capable of photosynthesis have gained that ability by engulfing and keeping other photosynthetic organisms inside them. For example, red algae are the common ancestors to the chloroplasts contained in the division, Heterokontophyta (e.g. large kelps common to Atlantic and Pacific coasts). This was a pivotal event in the evolution of photosynthetic life. Despite the obvious importance of this group, very little is known about what are considered “Bangiophyte” species. Even more fascinating is that even though the fossil, Bangiomorpha, exhibits the first example of sexual reproduction in the fossil record (1.2 billion years ago), many of these groups do not appear to undergo sexual reproduction or have lost the ability entirely. Dr. Müller's research focuses on speciation, taxonomy and evolution of sexuality within this enigmatic group and uses molecular techniques to discern if sexual reproduction is or is not occurring within populations. This research will provide a foundation for current genome sequencing projects within the red algae. In addition, she is also interested in the impact and genetics of nuisance algae (e.g. Cladophora and Chara in Laurentian Great Lakes), invasive species (e.g. Bangia atropupurea in the Great Lakes) and their biogeography within problem areas. Dr. Müller is also studying Cyanobacteria that release toxins and taste and odour compounds in drinking water (Lake Ontario) from a molecular viewpoint in order to determine if particular genotypes present in the water body are contributing to water fouling events.

近期论文

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Ruffell, S. E., Frank, R.A., Woodworth, A.P., Bragg, L. M., Bauer, A. E., Deeth, L.E., Müller, K.M., Farwell, A. J., Dixon, D. G., Servos, M. R. & McConkey, B.J. Assessing the influence of algal species indigenous to oil sands process-affected waters on mixtures of oil sands acid extractable organic. Accepted by Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, May 2016. Ruffell, S.E., Muller, K.M., McConkey, BJ. 2015. Comparative assessment of microalgal fatty acids as topical antibiotics. Journal of Applied Phycology. pp 1-10 Baxter, L., Brain, R., Hosmer, A., Nema, M., Müller, K. M., Solomon, K. 2015. Exposure of yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) egg masses to a PSII inhibitor during embryonic development. Environmental Pollution. 206: 324-331. Laughinghouse, H. D. Müller, K. M., Adey, W. H., Lara, Y. Young, R. & Johnson, G. 2015. Evolution of the northern rockweed Fucus distichus in a regime of glacial cycling: implications for benthic algal phylogenetics. PLoS ONE 10(12): e0143795. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0143795. Müller & Laughinghouse are co-first authors. Shea, T.B., Sheath, R.G., Chhun, A., Vis, M.L., Chiasson, W.B. & Müller, K.M. 2014. Distribution, seasonality and putative origin of the non-native red alga Bangia atropurpurea (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 40: 27-34.