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Dr. Karen-Beth G Scholthof
Professor, Plant Virology
117C LF Peterson
979-845-8265
kbgs@tamu.edu
Education
Ph.D., Plant Pathology (1989)
University of Kentucky
Research Emphasis:
Plant Virology
The primary focus of my molecular plant virology research is on a satellite virus. A satellite virus is a parasite of a helper virus. In this case Panicum mosaic virus (PMV) supports the replication and movement of satellite panicum mosaic virus (SPMV). In the Gulf Coast States a disease associated with the infection complex of PMV and its satellite virus (SPMV) is commonly known as St. Augustine Decline. Our recent studies with SPMV have revealed that its capsid protein has many biological functions including cellular localization to membranes and the nucleolus, induction of symptoms, and ensuring the integrity of its cognate RNA.
My second area of interest is the historiography of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in the early 20th century in the United States. This includes archival research on the early TMV workers in an attempt to understand how TMV was developed as a tool as part of defining the nature of a virus. My research and writing on the history of plant virology has been incorporated in to my graduate and undergraduate courses.
Teaching
I teach two writing-intensive classes in the Bioenvironmental Sciences Program: Pathogens, the Environment, and Society (BESC 314-900 and PLPA 614) and Field Experience, a web-based course (BESC 484-900). I teach a graduate course in Plant Virology with a laboratory section (PLPA 620). And, I also participate in the University Undergraduate Honors Program.
Recent Publications
Molecular Plant Virology
Qi, D., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2008. A one-step PCR-based method for rapid and efficient site-directed fragment deletion, insertion, and substitution mutagenesis. J. Virol. Meth. 149:85-90.
Qi, D., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2008. Multiple activities associated with the capsid protein of satellite panicum mosaic virus are controlled separately by the N- and C-terminal regions. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 21:613-621.
Qi, D., Omarov, R. T., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2008. The complex subcellular distribution of satellite panicum mosaic virus capsid protein reflects its multifunctional role during infection. Virology 376:154-164.
Segner, S. and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2007. Environmental microbiology: Bacteria and fungi on the foods we eat. Amer. Biol. Teacher 69: 149-157.
Batten, J. S., Desvoyes, Yamamura, Y., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2006. A translational enhancer element on the 3’-proximal end of Panicum mosaic virus. FEBS Lett. 580:2591-2597.
Batten, J. S., Turina, M., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2006. Two membrane-associated proteins are essential and sufficient for Panicum mosaic virus replication. Virol. J. 3:12.
Omarov, R. T., Qi, D., and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2005. The capsid protein of satellite panicum mosaic virus contributes to systemic invasion and interacts with its helper virus. J. Virol. 79:9756-9764.
Qiu, W. and Scholthof, K.-B. G.. 2004. Satellite panicum mosaic virus capsid protein elicits symptoms on a nonhost plant and interferes with a suppressor of virus-induced gene silencing. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 17:263-271
Scholthof, K.-B. G., Mirkov, T. E., and Scholthof, H. B. 2002. Plant virus gene vectors: Biotechnology applications in agriculture and medicine. Genetic Engineering, Principles, and Methods 24:67-86. Plenum Press, NY.
Qiu, W. P. and Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2001. Capsid protein of satellite panicum mosaic virus (SPMV) and its role as a symptom determinant. Molec. Plant-Microbe Interact. 14:21-30.
History of Virology and Plant Pathology
Scholthof, K.-B. G., Jackson, A. O., and Van Etten, J. L. 2008. Obituary: Myron K. Brakke, 1921-2008. Phytopathology 98:1056-1059.
Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2007. The disease triangle: pathogens, the environment, and society. Nature Rev. Microbiol. 5: 152-156.
Scholthof, K.-B. G. and Peterson, P.D. 2006. The role of Helen Purdy Beale in the early development of plant serology and virology. Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 59:221-241.
Scholthof, K-B.G. 2000 [2005, updated]. Tobacco mosaic virus. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2000-1010-01. <http://www.apsnet.org/education/LessonsPlantPath/TMV/>
Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2004. Tobacco mosaic virus: A model system for plant biology. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 42:13-34.
Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2003. One foot in the furrow: agriculture, plant pathology and public health. Ann. Rev. Public Health 24:153-174.
Scholthof, K.-B. G., Peterson, P. D., and Griffith, C. 2003 [1960]. Biographical Essay on E. C. Large in: "The Advance of the Fungi" by E. C. Large. APS Press, St. Paul, MN.
Scholthof, K.-B. G. 2001. The chimerical world of agricultural biotechnology: Food allergens, labeling, and communication. Phytopathology 91:524-526.
Scholthof, K.-B. G., Shaw, J. G., and Zaitlin, M., eds. 1999. Tobacco mosaic virus: One hundred years of contributions to virology. American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, MN. 264 pp.