Richard C. Staples

Adjunct Professor
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
Geneva, NY 14456
Telephone: 315-787-2332
FAX: 315-787-2389
E-Mail: rcs8@cornell.edu

Training

Ph.D. 1957 Plant Biochemistry
Columbia University, New York

A.M. 1954 Plant Biochemistry
Columbia University, New York

B.S. 1950 Botany and Plant Pathology
Colorado State University

Division of Effort

Research - 100%, Physiology, metabolism, and cell biology of fungi

Program Overview and Future Objectives

The physiology, metabolism, and cell biology of fungi. This has translated in research experience to studies on the development of pathogenicity traits by fungal pathogens, especially the rust fungi^1-5, but has also included Botrytis cinerea and Metarhizium anisopliae. Current work involves the cloning of genes involved in the sensory perception of signals on the substratum responsible for triggering mitosis and appressorium development by the urediospore germling of Uromyces appendiculatus, and the development of cell biology tools for the study of appressorium development.

Professional Experience

Principal work experience at Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University.

1993-	Adjunct Professor of Plant Pathology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University
1992-	George L. McNew Distinguished Scientist, Emeritus
1988-92	George L. McNew Distinguished Scientist
1977-88	Program Director, Plant Stress
1966-76	Program Director, Physiology of Parasitism
1961-66	Plant Biochemist
1957-61	Assistant Plant Biochemist
1952-57	Fellow-in-Biochemistry, Boyce Thompson Institute, and Columbia University, New York

Professional Activities

A. Professional Societies

Alexander von Humbolt Chapter, Cornell University

American Phytopathological Society

American Society for Cell Biology

B. Sabbatical Leave

1991-92	Visiting Scientist with Dr. Les Szabo, Cereal Rust Laboratory, USDA, University of Minnesota
1984	Visiting Scientist with Prof. William E. Timberlake, University of California, Davis
1982-83	Humboldt Fellow with Prof. Dr. Hans J. Reisener, Institut für Biologie III, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
1981-82	Policy Analyst, Science and Technology Policy Office, National Science Foundation and Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President
1961-62	Visiting Scientist with Prof. Marc A. Stahmann, University of Wisconsin

C. Professional Assignments, Honors, Awards

Elected member Sigma Xi, Beta Beta Beta, Phi Kappa Phi
1994-	Receiving Editor, FEMS Microbiology Letters
1994	Recipient, Ruth Allen Award, American Phytopathological Society
1986	Elected Member, Gamma Sigma Delta honor society
1984	Elected Fellow, American Phytopathological Society
1983	Paper awarded "Citation Classic", Science Citation Index
1981	Recipient Humboldt "Senior US Scientist" award

D. Station and Department Committees

1995	Seminar Committee, Department of Plant Pathology

Graduate Majors

Dan Legard, Ph.D. 1990-1991 (Co-chair, graduate committee), Department of Plant Pathology, Ithaca

Xiao-Ling Xuei, Ph.D. 1989-91 (Member, graduate committee), Department of Plant Pathology, Ithaca. Presently at Abbott Labs.

Francis Trail, Ph.D., 1991 (Member, graduate committee), Department of Plant Pathology, Geneva

Young Kwon, Ph.D., 1991 (Member, graduate committee), Department of Plant Pathology, Geneva. Presently at University of California, Berkeley.

Russell Wallace, Ph.D., 1991-92 (Member, graduate committee), Department of Vegetable Crops, Ithaca. Presently at Department of Vegetable Crops, Ithaca.

Publications cited

1. Allen, E.A., Hazen, B.E., Hoch, H.C., Kwon, Y., Leinhos, G.M.E., Staples, R.C., Stumpf, M.A. and Terhune, B.T. 1991. Appressorium formation in response to topographical signals by 27 rust species. Phytopathol. 81: 323-331.

2. Bhairi, S.M. and Staples, R.C. 1992. Transient expression of the -glucuronidase gene introduced into Uromyces appendiculatus uredospores by particle bombardment. Phytopathol. 82: 986-989.

3. Bhairi, S.M., Staples, R.C., Freve, P. and Yoder, O.C. 1989. Characterization of an infection structure-specific gene from the rust fungus, Uromyces appendiculatus. Gene 81: 237-243.

4. Correa, A., Jr., Staples, R.C. and Hoch, H.C. 1996. Inhibition of thigmostimulated cell differentiation with RGD-peptides in Uromyces germlings. Protoplasma 194: 91-102..

Gonen, L., Viterbo, A., Cantone, F., Staples, R.C. and Mayer, A.M. 1996. Effect of cucurbitacins on mRNA coding for laccase in Botrytis cinerea. Phytochemistry 42: 321-324.

Lamboy, J.S., Staples, R.C. and Hoch, H.C. 1995. Superoxide dismutase: A differentiation protein expressed in Uromyces germlings during early appressorium development. Exp.Mycol. 19: 284-296.

5. Xuei, X.-L., Bhairi, S., Staples, R.C. and Yoder, O.C. 1992. Characterization of INF56, a gene expressed during infection structure development of Uromyces appendiculatus. Gene 110: 49-55.

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