John Calvin Thomas

Assistant Professor of Biology
Department of Natural Sciences

University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI 48128-1491 USA
(313)-593-5326, FAX: (313)-593-4937
E-mail JCTHOMAS@umd.umich.edu


Education


Ph.D. Genetics (minor Biochemistry). Dr. Frank Katterman, Director. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. December, 1986. Title: "The Consequences of Bromodeoxyuridine Treatment in Plant Tissue Cultures."

M.S. Genetics. Dr. Frank Katterman, Director. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. May 1980.

B.S. Biology. Dr. Richard Wrathall, Director. American University, Washington, D.C. May 1977.

Research Interests

Experience


1994-present Assistant Professor of Biology, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491

1990-1994 Research Associate, Dr. H-J Bohnert, Department of Biochemistry, Biosciences West, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.

1988-1990 Research Associate, Dr. Georges Freyssinet, Rhône Poulenc Agrochimie, 14-20 Rue Pierre Baizet B.P. 9163, 69263 Lyon Cedex 09, FRANCE.

1986-1988 Research Associate, Dr. Craig Nessler, Biological Sciences Dept, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. 77843.

Professional Memberships

American Society of Plant Physiologists
International Society for Plant Molecular Biology
Sociéte Française de Physiologie Végétale
Tissue Culture Association
Phi Kappa Phi

Honors

Summer Internship Award, National Institutes of Health, 1976.
Bachelor of Sciences award of Cum Laude, American University, 1977.

Ad Hoc Reviewer

Peer Reviewed Journals Botanical Bull. of Acad. Sinica, Developmental Genetics, Plant Physiology, Plant Cell Reports, Plant Cell and Tissue Culture.

Grants/Proposals Rackham School of Graduate Studies (University of Michigan), Sea Grants Program, BARD (Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund) USDA/ARS.

Teaching Experience (since 1995)

BIOLOGY 301 Cell Biology and 2 laboratory sections. Winter Term 1994-1995, Univ. of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 40 students.
BIOLOGY 306 General Genetics, 2 recitation sections; Fall term 1995-1996, Univ. of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. Class size ranged from 50 to 75 students.
BIOLOGY 497 Genetics Biotechnology and the Future, a Biology Seminar Class; Spring Term 1995, Univ of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 30 students.
BIOLOGY 140 Molecular and Cellular Biology laboratory section; Fall and Summer terms 1995 and Fall 1996, Univ. of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 25 students/section.


Other Activities

Sponsored BIOLOGY 306 General Genetic Seminars Ms. Ann Greb, Genetic Counselor, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI (Dec. 4), 1995; Dr. Pauline Bariola, Plant Molecular Biology, Michigan State University (Dec 6).
Faculty Sponsor (Ms. Keri McCokney) High School Internship Laboratory Experience (August 29-October 29, 1995), Mr. Norm Finley, Livonia Public Schools, Livonia, MI.

Refereed Articles (Since 1995)

1. Thomas JC (1996) Anti-Insect Strategies in the Engineered Cotton Crop. In: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry (Ed YPS Bajaj). (In Press)

2. Thomas JC (1996) Glimpses into Osmoprotection in Plants. AgBiotech News and Information 8(7): 127N-132N

3. Thomas JC, Adams DG, Nessler CL, Brown JK, Bohnert HJ (1995) Tryptophan decarboxylase, tryptamine and reproduction of the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Plant Physiology 109: 717-720.

4. Thomas JC, Adams DG, D. Keppenne VD, Wasmann CC, Brown JK, Kanost MR, Bohnert HJ (1995) Manduca sexta encoded protease inhibitors expressed in Nicotiana tabacum provide protection against insects. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 33(5): 611-614.

5. Thomas JC, Adams DG, Keppenne VD, Wasmann CC, Brown JK, Kanost MR Bohnert HJ (1995) Protease inhibitors of Manduca sexta expressed in transgenic cotton. Plant Cell Reports 14: 758-762.

6. Thomas JC, Sephai M, Arendall B, Bohnert HJ (1995) Enhancement of seed germination in high salinity by engineering mannitol-expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell and Environment 18: 801-806.


7. Thomas JC, Smigocki AC, Bohnert HJ (1995) Light induced expression of ipt from Agrobacterium tumefaciens results in cytokinin accumulation and osmotic stress symptoms in transgenic tobacco. Plant Mol Biol 27: 225-235

Abstracts


1. Davies EC, Thomas JC (1997) A copper responsive metallothionein from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Annual Conference in Plant Physiology, Vancover, Canada June 21-25 (1997)

2. Murray KS, Thomas JC (1997) Phytoremediation of copper contaminated sediments: Torch Lake, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. 12th Annual Conf on Contaminated Soils, Univ. of MA at Amherst, Amherst MA. October 20-23 (1997)

3. Neeley CK, Kouhry R, Brown JK, Thomas JC (1997) Geminivirus movement proteins: conservation and viral resistance. Michigan Acadamy of Sciences, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI March 21-22 (1997)

4. Swisher K, Thomas JC, Murray KS (1977) Heavy Metals in the Environment. Michigan Acadamy of Sciences, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI March 21-22 (1997)

5. Neeley CK, Kasiborski B, Kouhry R, Brown JK, Thomas JC (1997) Geminivirus movement proteins: conservation and viral resistance. Meeting of the Minds, May 17, 1997, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI.

6. Malick FM, Williams C, Petralla S, Davies EC, Swisher K, Murray KS, Thomas JC (1997) Heavy metal cleanup with the copper binding protein of yeast, CUP 1 gene. Meeting of the Minds, May 17, 1997, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI.

7. Kouhry R, Neeley CK, Kasiborski B, Brown JK, Thomas JC (1997) Chino del Tomate Bipartite Genomes. Undergraduate Poster Session, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI April 4, 1997

8. Malick FM, Williams C, Petralla S, Davies EC, Swisher K, Murray KS, Thomas JC (1997) Heavy metal cleanup with the copper binding protein of yeast, CUP 1 gene. Undergraduate Poster Session, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI April 4, 1997

9. Adamus G, Akroush AM, Thomas JC (1997) Tryptamine expression and its relevance to insect survival. Undergraduate Poster Session, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI April 4, 1997

10. Thomas JC, Malick F, Endreszl C, Davies E, Murray KS (1996) Heavy metals and the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Plant Physiol 111: 81

11. Thomas JC, Saleh EF, Akroush AM (1996) Tryptamine: Plant-synthesized compounds for self defense against insects. Plant Physiol 111: 87

12. Akroush AM, Saleh EF, Thomas JC (1996) Self Defense Against Insects for Flowering Plants. Meeting of the Minds, Oakland University, May 17, 1996

13. Endreszl CR Jr., Malick F, Murray KS, Thomas JC (1996) Phytodetection and Remediation of Heavy Metals by Plants: A Model System. Meeting of the Minds, Oakland University, May 17, 1996

14. Akroush AM, Saleh EF, Thomas JC (1996) Self Defense Against Insects for Flowering Plants. Undergraduate Poster Session, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI April 14, 1996

15. Endreszl CR Jr., Malick F, Murray KS, Thomas JC (1996) Phytodetection and Remediation of Heavy Metals by Plants: A Model System. Undergraduate Poster Session, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI April 14, 1996

16. Kasiborski B, Krug MA, Neeley CK, Thomas JC (1996) Antisense strategy for geminivirus Chino del Tomate resistance. Undergraduate Poster Session, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI April 14, 1996

Patents

1. Thomas JC, Bohnert HJ, Kanost MR (1992) "Transgenic Plants Expressing M. Sexta Protease Inhibitor" 07/464,310 USA Filed, Dec 21, 1992

Other Interesting Links:

Virtual Topics in Genetics 1995-1996

THOMAS LAB

Student Researchers 1997-1998

John C. Thomas CV

BIO 301 Cell Biology (Winter Term 4 credits)

BIO 306 General Genetics (Fall Term, 3 Credits)

Great Biology Resources on

Entrance into the world of biology on the Internet.

Abstracts of Recent Papers

Things for fun

Scripts, HTML and graphic design by John Thomas

E-mail JCTHOMAS@umd.umich.edu