Kathleen Jermstad
Biologist

Institute of Forest Genetics
Pacific Southwest Research Station
USDA Forest Service
2480 Carson Road
Placerville, CA 95667

Phone: (530) 295-3025
Fax: (530) 622-2633
email: kjermstad@fs.fed.us
   and kdjermstad@ucdavis.edu

Education

M.S. Plant Genetics from University of California, Davis - 1997
B.S. Animal Biology from California State University, Sacramento - 1981

Research

The focus of my research is 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 (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 (WPGP). Also, under development is the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved with abiotic adaptation, i.e., phenology, water-use efficiency and cold-tolerance (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.

Other Interests and Projects

D.O.E. Joint Genome Institute - Development of ESTs for sugar pine Pinus lambertiana.
EGFHN - Ecological Genomics of Forest Health in the Western U.S.
SNPLMA - (Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act) Study of white pines in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Selected Papers

refereed publications
Jermstad KD, 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 2:76-85.
Wheeler NC, KD Jermstad, KV Krutovsky, SN Aitken, GT Howe, J Krakowski, and DB Neale. 2005. Mapping Of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Adaptive Traits in Coastal Douglas-Fir. IV. Cold-Hardiness QTL Verification and Candidate Gene Mapping. Molecular Breeding 15:145-156.
Krutovsky K.V., M. Troggio, G.R. Brown, K.D. Jermstad, D.B. 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 Supplemental material
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, Wheeler, 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.
Gocmen, 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 .
symposia
KD Jermstad and DB Neale. (2008) Genetic Mapping of Genes Controlling Slow-Rust Resistance and Major Gene Resistance in Sugar Pine(Pinus lambertiana). Third Annual U.S. Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute User Meeting. March 26-28, 2008. Marriott Hotel, Walnut Creek, CA, USA. (Abstract available here)
KD Jermstad, NC Wheeler and DB Neale. Winter Chill Requirement in Coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco). Climate Change - PSW Climate Science Workshop, Institute of Forest Genetics, Placerville, CA, April 29 through May 1, 2008. (Abstract available here).
Kathie Jermstad and David Neale. Development of Genomic Resources in Sugar Pine: Understanding the Genetics of Resistance. 9th Annual Bay Area Conservation Biology Symposium. University of California, Berkeley. February 10, 2007.
Jermstad, Kathie D. and Neale, David B. Genetic Mapping of Genes Controlling Partial Resistance and Major Gene Resistance in Sugar Pine. Whitebark Pine: A Pacific Coast Perspective, Ashland, Oregon, August 27-31, 2006. (Abstract available at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fid/wbpine/papers/2007-wbp-wpbr-resist-jermstad.pdf).
Kathie Jermstad and David Neale. Progress Toward Isolating Cr1, the Major Gene of Resistance to White Pine Blister Rust in Sugar Pine. International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), Unit 7.02.05, Kings Beach, California, USA. July 9-13, 2006.
K. Jermstad, L. Sheppard, B. Kinloch, A. Delfino-Mix, E. Ersoz, K. Krutovsky and D. Neale. A conserved CC-NBS-LRR resistance gene in sugar pine. Western Forest Genetics Association (WFGA), Corvallis, Oregon, USA. July 19-21, 2005.
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Ritchie GA, Wheeler NC, Neale DB. Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir. III. QTL by environment interactions and verification. Plant and Animal Genome XI, San Diego, CA, January 11, 2003. (Abstract available at http://www.intl-pag.org/).
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Ritchie GA, Wheeler NC, Neale DB Quantitative trait analysis for adaptive traits and their environmental elicitors in a three-generation pedigree of Douglas-fir. Western Forest and Genetics Association, Davis, CA, USA, July 30, 2001.
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Wheeler NC Anekonda TS, Aitken SN, Adams WT and Neale DB QTL mapping of adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir. Plant and Animal Genome VI, San Diego, CA, January 18, 1998. (Abstract available at http://www.intl-pag.org/).
Neale DB, Jermstad KD, Sewell MM. Progress towards detecting and verifying QTLs for wood property traits in loblolly pine and adaptive traits in Douglas-fir. In:Proc of the 26th meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association Part 1 Tree Improvement: Its Contribution to Sustainable Development Sainte-Foy, Quebec, CAN August 18-21, 1997.
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. QTL mapping of adaptive traits in Douglas-fir. Western Forest and Genetics Association, Berkeley, CA, August 4, 1997.
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. QTL mapping of bud phenology traits in coastal Dougls-fir. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Corvallis, OR, June 20, 1997.
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling phenology traits in coastal Douglas-fir. Western Forest and Genetics Association, Victoria, BC, CAN, Aug 28, 1995.
Jermstad KD, Reem AM, Henifin JR, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Inheritance of restriction fragment length polymorphisms, random amplified polymorphic DNAs and isozymes in coastal Douglas-fir. International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), Portland, Maine, May 20, 1994.
poster presentations
Kathie Jermstad and David Neale. Genetic Mapping of Genes Controling Slow-Rust Resistance and Major Gene Resistance in Sugar Pine. Plant and Animal Genome XVI, San Diego, CA, January 12-16, 2008. (Abstract available here).
Jermstad KD, Wheeler NC, Howe G, Aitken S, Krutovsii K and Neale DB. Gene discovery for adaptive traits in Douglas-fir. Western Forest and Genetics Association, Whistler, BC, CAN, July 28, 2003.
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Ritchie GA, Wheeler NC, Neale DB. Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir. III. QTL by environment interactions and verification. Plant and Animal Genome XI, San Diego, CA, January 11, 2003. (Abstract available at http://www.intl-pag.org/).
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Jech KS, Ritchie GA, Wheeler NC, Neale DB. Quantitative trait analysis for adaptive traits and their environmental elicitors in a three-generation pedigree of Douglas-fir. Plant Genome X, San Diego, CA, Jan 12, 2002. (Abstract available at http://www.intl-pag.org/).
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Wheele, NC, Anekonda TS, Aitken SN, Adams WT, Neale DB. QTL affecting bud flush and cold-hardiness in coastal Douglas-fir. Plant Genome VIII, San Diego, CA, Jan 9, 2000. (Abstract available at (Abstract available at http://www.intl-pag.org/).
Jermstad K D, Bassoni DL, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting bud phenology in coastal Douglas-fir. Plant and Animal Genome V, San Diego, CA, Jan 12, 1997. (Abstract available at http://www.intl-pag.org/).
Jermstad KD, Bassoni DL, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting bud phenology in coastal Douglas-fir. Western Forest and Genetics Association, Newport, OR, July 29, 1996.
Jermstad KD, Reem AM, Henifin JR, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Inheritance of restriction fragment length polymorphisms, random amplified polymorphic DNAs and isozymes in coastal Douglas-fir. Plant Genome II, San Diego, CA, Jan 24, 1994.
Jermstad KD, Reem AM, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Inheritance of restriction fragment length polymorphisms, random amplified polymorphic DNAs and isozymes in coastal Douglas-fir. Western Forest and Genetics Association, Oahu, HI, Oct 4, 1993.
Jermstad KD, Reem AM, Wheeler NC and Neale DB Molecular marker and quantitative trait mapping in Douglas-fir. Plant Genome I, San Diego, CA, Nov 9, 1992.
Jermstad KD, Reem AM, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. RFLP and RAPD mapping in Douglas-fir. International Conifer Biotech Working Group, Raleigh, NC, Apr 23, 1992.
Jermstad KD, Wheeler NC and Neale DB. Restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping in Douglas-fir. International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), South Lake Tahoe, CA, Sept 30, 1990.