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Gerald A. Berkowitz, Professor of Horticulture
Experience and Education | Honors and Activities | Teaching | Publications | Competitive Research Grants |
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PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS AND EDUCATION

(9/02-present):  Professor, Department of Plant Science

(9/01-9/02):  Program Director, Cell Biology, Division of Molec. & Cellular Biosci., National Science Foundation,        Washington D.C.

(4/96-9/01):  Professor and Department Head, Plant Science Dept., Univ. Conn.

(11/89-8/90):  Texas Tech U. Medical School, sabbatical leave at Dept. of Physiology using patch/voltage clamp to study S/A node pacemaker cell ion currents

(7/94-4/96):  Professor, Rutgers Univ., Plant Sci. Dept., Director of the Grad. Fac. of Plant Sci. & Technology, and member of Biochem., and Plant Biol. Grad. Faculties

(7/83-7/94):  Assistant, then Assoc. Professor, Rutgers University

Brandeis University, Institute for Photobiology of Cells and Organelles, PhD 1983, Major- Plant Physiology, Dissertation: Water deficit effects on the basic processes facilitating photosynthetic carbon assimilation

Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science, MS 1980, Major- Crop Physiology, Minor- Statistics and Chemistry, Thesis: Shelter effects on the canopy microclimate, physiology, growth, and yield of cowpeas

Cornell University College of Agric. & Life Sciences, BS 1977, Major- Agronomy

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RECENT HONORS AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES 

Research awards: 

1992 Johnson & Johnson Discovery Award for outstanding innovative research; 1993 Cook College Research Excellence Award.
                          
Invited Symposium Addresses: 

1996 Amer. Soc. Agron. Natl. Mtg.; 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004 & 2006 Amer. Soc. Plant Biol. (ASPB) Natl. Mtg.; 2001 K in Nutrient managment for Crop Prod. In India Internatl. Mtg.

Invited Gordon Conf. lecturer: 

1982 (CO2 Fixation), 1987 (Mg2+ in Biochemical Processes and Medicine), 2002 (Water & Salt Stress in Plants), 2004 (Water & Salt Stress in Plants).
                                                           
Invited moderator: 

Amer. Soc. Plant Biol. (ASPB) natl. mtg. sessions: water stress (1987), heat stress (1991), membranes (2002), transport (2003), membrane transport (2004)
                           

Invited federal grant review panel/study section member: 

1993 DOE Energy Biosci. Div. Photosyn., 1995 USDA-NRI Plant Response to Environment, 2001 &    2002 NSF Cell Biol., 2003 NIH plant-derived therapeutics, 2004 NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research,  2004 Neuronal & Glial Mechanisms and Signal Transduction

American Society of Plant Biology

TEACHING PROGRAM

PLSC 216 - Plant Physiology: How Plants Work, Spring semester
PLSC 217 - Investigations in Plant Physiology, Spring semester
PLSC 305 - Physiology and Ecology of Trees, Co-instructor: Mark Rudnicki, Fall semester
PLSC 335 - Issues in Plant Biotechnolgy, Fall semester

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Refereed Journals

Ma J, X Zhang, GA Berkowitz 2006 Model of multimeric plant K+ channel complex assembly: physical interactions between a and b subunits. Plant Physiol and Biochem (in preparation)

Ali R, Tsaltas D, Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Leng Q, von Bodman S, Berkowitz GA 2006 Death don’t have no mercy and neither does calcium. Plant Cell (submitted)

Ma W, Ali R, Berkowitz GA 2006 Characterization of plant phenotypes associated with loss-of- function of the plant cyclic nucleotide gated cation channel AtCNGC1. Plant Physiol and Biochem (in press)

Yoshioka K, Moeder W, Kang H-G, Kachroo P, Masmoudi K, Berkowitz GA ,Klessig DF 2006 The chimeric cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel AtCNGC11/12 activates multiple pathogen resistance responses. Plant Cell 18:747-763

Ali R, Zielinski R, Berkowitz GA 2006 Expression of plant cyclic nucleotide gated channels in yeast. J Expt Bot 57:125-138

Park S, Li J, Pittman JK, Berkowitz GA, Li J, Yang H, Undurraga S, Morris J, Hirschi KD, Gaxiola RA 2005 Up-regulation of a H+-PPase as a strategy to engineer drought resistant crop plants. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:18830-18835

Brini F, Gaxiola RA, Berkowitz GA, Masmoudi K 2004 Cloning and characterization of a wheat vacuolar cation/proton antiporter and pyrophosphatase proton pump. Plant Physiol and Biochem 43:347-354.

Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Berkowitz, GA 2004 Cyclic adenosine monophosphate regulates calcium channels in the plasma membrane of leaf guard and mesophyll cells. J Biol Chem 279:35306-35312

Mercier RW, Rabinowitz NM, Gaxiola, RA, Ali R, Berkowitz GA 2004 Use of hygromycin hypersensitivity of a K+ uptake yeast mutant as a functional assay of plant cyclic nucleotide gated cation channels. Plant Physiol and Biochem 42:529-536

Hua B-G, Mercier RW, Leng Q, Berkowitz GA 2003 Plants do it differently: a new basis for K/Na selectivity in the pore of an ion channel. Plant Physiol 132:1353-1361.

Hua B-G, Mercier RW, Zielinski RE, Berkowitz GA 2003 Functional interaction of calmodulin with a plant cyclic nucleotide gated cation channel. Plant Physiol and Biochem 41:945-954 (cover article).

Leng Q, Mercier R, Hua B-G, Fromm H, Berkowitz GA 2002 Electrophysiological analysis of cloned cyclic nucleotide gated ion channels. Plant Physiol 128:400-410 (cover article)

Mittler R, Berkowitz GA 2001 Hydrogen peroxide, a messenger with too many roles? Redox Report 6:69-72

Berkowitz G, Zhang X, Mercier R, Leng Q, Lawton M 2000 Co-expression of a calcium-dependent protein kinase with the inward rectified guard cell K+ channel KAT1 alters currents parameters in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Plant Cell Physiol 41:785-790

Leng Q, Mercier RW, Yao W, Berkowitz GA 1999 Cloning and first functional characterization of a plant cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel. Plant Physiol 121:753-761

Zhang X, Ma J, Berkowitz GA 1999 Evaluation of functional interaction between K+ channel α and β subunits and putative inactivation gating by cooexpression in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Plant Physiol 121:995-1002

Tang X, Vasconcelos AC, Berkowitz GA 1998 In vivo Expression pattern of a plant K+ channel β subunit protein. Plant Sci 134:117-128

Peters JS, Berkowitz GA 1998 Characterization of the chloroplast inner envelope proton pump as a P-type ATPase. Photosyn Res 57:323-333

Fang Z, Kamasani U, Berkowitz GA 1998 Molecular cloning and expression characterization of a rice K+ channel β subunit.  Plant Mol Biol 37:597-606

Hadjeb N, Berkowitz GA 1996 Modified T-overhang protocol increases PCR product cloning efficiency. BioTechniqunes 20:20-22.

Muramatsu H, Berkowitz GA, Nathan RD 1996 Characterization of a TTX-sensitive sodium current in pacemaker cells isolated from the rabbit sino atrial node. Am J Physiol 270:H2108-H2119

Pedromo P, Murphy JA, Berkowitz GA, Funk CR 1996 Factors associated with summer stress performance of Kentucky Bluegrass genotypes.  HortSci 31:1182-1186

Tang H, Vasconcelos AC, Berkowitz GA 1996 Physical association of KAB1 with plant K+ channel β subunits. Plant Cell 8:1545-1553

Mi F, Berkowitz GA 1995  Development of a novel K+ channel probe and use for the identification of an intracellular plant membrane K+ channel.  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:3386-3390

Fang Z, Mi F, Berkowitz GA 1995 Molecular and physiological analysis of a thylakoid K+ channel protein. Plant Physiol 108:1725-1734

Tang H, Vasconcelos AC, Berkowitz GA 1995 First evidence that plant K+ channel proteins have two different types of subunits.  Plant Physiol 109:327-330

Mi F, Peters JS, Berkowitz GA 1994 Characterization of a chloroplast inner envelope K+ channel. Plant Physiol 105:955-964

Gunasekera D, Santakumari M, Glinka Z, Berkowitz GA 1994 Wild and cultivated barley genotypes demonstrate varying ability to acclimate to plant water deficits.  Plant Sci 99:125-134

Berkowitz GA, Peters JS 1993 The chloroplast inner envelope ATPase acts as a primary H+ pump. Plant Physiol 102:261-267

Wang X, Berkowitz GA, Peters JS 1993 K+-conducting ion channel of the chloroplast inner envelope: Functional reconstitution into liposomes.  Proc Natl Acad Sci 90:4981-4985

Gunasekera D, Berkowitz GA 1993 Use of transgenic plants with Rubisco antisense DNA to evaluate the rate limitation of photosynthesis under water stress. Plant Physiol 103:629-635

Berkowitz GA, Wu W 1993 Magnesium, K+ flux and photosynthesis. Magnesium Res 6:257-265 (invited review article)

Gunasekera D, Berkowitz GA 1992 Heterogenous stomatal closure in response to leaf water deficits is not a universal phenomenon.  Plant Physiol 98:660-665

Wu W, Berkowitz GA 1992 Stromal pH and photosynthesis are affected by electroneutral K+ and H+ exchange through chloroplast envelope ion channels.  Plant Physiol 98:666-672

Wu W, Berkowitz GA 1992 K+ stimulation of ATPase activity associated with the chloroplast inner envelope. Plant Physiol 99:553-560

Gunasekera D, Berkowitz GA 1992  Evaluation of contrasting cellular-level acclimation responses to leaf water deficits in three wheat genotypes.  Plant Sci 86:1-12

Nitzsche P, Berkowitz GA, Rabin J 1991 Development of a seedling-applied antitranspirant formulation to enhance water status, growth, and yield of transplanted bell pepper. J Am Soc Hort Sci 116:405-411

Peters JS, Berkowitz GA 1991 Studies on the system regulating proton movement across the chloroplast envelope. Effects of ATPase inhibitors, Mg2+, and an amine anesthetic on stromal pH and photosynthesis. Plant Physiol 95:1229-1236

Win K, Berkowitz GA, Henninger M 1991 Antitranspirant application increases leaf water potential, increases tuber calcium, and decreases tuber necrosis in water stressed potato plants. Plant Physiol 96:116-120

Santakumari M, Berkowitz GA 1991 Chloroplast volume:water potential relationships and acclimation of photosynthesis to cellular water deficits.  Photosyn Res 28:9-20

Wu W, Peters JS, Berkowitz GA 1991 Surface charge mediated effects of Mg2+ on K+ flux across the chloroplast envelope are associated with regulation of stromal pH and photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 97:580-587

Wu W, Berkowitz GA 1991 Lidocaine and ATPase inhibitor interaction with the chloroplast envelope.  Plant Physiol 97:1551-1557

Santakumari M, Berkowitz GA 1990 Correlation between the maintenance of photosynthesis and in situ protoplast volume at low water potentials in droughted wheat. Plant Physiol 92:733-739

Sen Gupta A, Berkowitz GA 1989 Development and use of chlortetracycline fluorescence as a measurement assay of chloroplast envelope-bound Mg2+.  Plant Physiol 89:753-761

Sen Gupta A, Berkowitz GA, Pier PA 1989 Maintenance of photosynthesis at low leaf water potential in wheat.  Role of potassium status and irrigation history.  Plant Physiol 89:1358-1365

Pier PA, Berkowitz GA 1989 Effects of chloroplast envelope Mg2+, cation movement, and osmotic stress on photosynthesis. Plant Sci 65:45-53

Santakumari M, Berkowitz GA 1989 The protoplast volume: water potential relationship and bound water fraction in spinach leaves. Plant Physiol 91:13-18

Berkowitz GA, Rabin J 1988 Antitranspirant associated abscisic acid effects on the water relations and yield of transpl­anted bell peppers.  Plant Physiol 86:329-331

Rabin J, Berkowitz GA, Akers SW 1988 Field performance of osmotically primed parsley seed. Hort Sci 23:554-555

Sen Gupta A, Berkowitz GA 1988 Chloroplast osmotic adjustment and water stress effects on photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 88:200-206

Berkowitz GA, Kroll KS 1988  Acclimation of photosynthesis in Zea mays to low water potentials involves alterations in protoplast volume reduction.  Planta 175:374-379

Akers SW, Berkowitz GA, Rabin J 1987 Germination of parsley seed primed in aerated solutions of polyethylene glycol.  Hort. Sci 22:250-252

Berkowitz GA 1987 Chloroplast acclimation to low osmotic potential.  Plant Cell Reports 6:208-211

Pier PA, Berkowitz GA 1987 Modulation of water stress effects on photosynthesis by altered leaf K+.  Plant Physiol 85:655-661

Sen Gupta A, Berkowitz GA 1987 Osmotic adjustment, symplast volume, and nonstomatally mediated water stress inhibition of photosynthesis in wheat.  Plant Physiol 85:1040-1047

Gianfagna TJ, Berkowitz GA 1986 Glucose catabolism and anthocyanin production in apple fruit discs.  Phytochemistry 25:607-609

Berkowitz GA, Whalen C 1985 Leaf K+ interaction with water stress inhibition of non-stomatal controlled photosynthesis. Plant Physiol 79:189-193

Berkowitz GA, Gibbs M 1983 Reduced osmotic potential effects on photosynthesis.  Identification of stromal acidification as a mediating factor.  Plant Physiol 71:905-911

Berkowitz GA, Gibbs M 1983  Reduced osmotic potential inhibition of photosynthesis.  Site specific effects of osmotically induced stromal acidification.  Plant Physiol 72:1100-1109

Berkowitz GA, Chen C, Gibbs M 1983  Stromal acidification mediates in vivo water stress inhibition on nonstomatal-controlled photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 72:1123-1126

Berkowitz GA, Gibbs M 1982  Effect of osmotic stress on photosynthesis studied with the isolated spinach chloroplast.  Site specific inhibition of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle.  Plant Physiol 70:1535-1540

Berkowitz GA, Gibbs M 1982  Effect of osmotic stress on photosynthesis studied with the isolated spinach chloroplast.  Generation and use of reducing power.  Plant Physiol 70:1143-1148

Fankhauser H, Berkowitz GA, Schiff JA 1981 A nucleotide with the properties of adenosine 5' phosphoramidate from Chlorella cells. Biochem Biophys Res Com 101:524-532

Berkowitz GA, Hopper NW 1980  A method of increasing the accuracy of diffusive resistance porometer calibrations. Ann Bot 45:723-727

Books Edited or Authored

D Oosterhuis and GA Berkowitz 1999 Frontiers in Potassium Nutrition: New Perspective on the Effects of Potassium on Crop Plant Physiology. Potash and Phosphate Institute Press.

Invited Book Chapters

Berkowitz GA, Mercier R, Leng Q, Hua B-G 2002 Plant K+ channel proteins. In, P Imas, ed, Importance of potassium in nutrient management for sustainable crop production in India. International Potash Institute.

Berkowitz GA, J Ma, H Tang, X Zhang Z Fang, AC Vasconcelos 1999 Molecular analysis of plant K channel structure. In: D. Oosterhuis and GA Berkowitz, eds., Frontiers in Potassium Nutrition: New Perspective on the Effects of Potassium on Crop Plant Physiology. Potash and Phosphate Inst. Press, pp. 26-36.

Berkowitz GA  1998 Water and salt stress.  In, AS Raghavendra, ed., Photosynthesis: A comprehensive treatise.  Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, pp. 226-237

Gibbs M, GA Berkowitz 1987 Carbon Dioxide Fixation. In:SP Parker, ed., McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Vol. 13 McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 436-440

Berkowitz GA, M Gibbs  1985 Chloroplasts as a whole.  In: H-F Linskens, J.F. Jackson, eds., Cell Components. Springer, New York, pp. 152-181

Gibbs M, GA Berkowitz, C Chen  1984 Water deficit effects on nonstomatal mediated photosynthesis.  In: T Kudrev, L Atanasova, E Ananiev, M Angelov, Ts Tsonev, eds., Plant Metabolism Regulation, Bulgarian Acad Sci, Sofia, Bulgaria, pp. 39-46

Invited Lectures at International Symposia

Ali R, Tsaltas D, Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Leng Q, von Bodman S, Berkowitz, GA 2006 Plant cell Ca2+ currents and downstream nitric oxide generation: unraveling a plant innate immunity signaling cascade. Amer. Soc. Plant Bio. Natl. Mtg. Minisymposium

Berkowitz GA 2004 Cell signaling and calcium-conducting channels. Water and salt stress in plants Gordon Research Conference. Hong Kong.

Berkowitz GA, Loder L, Ali R, Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Salt, DE 2004 Plant CNGCs: functional characterization of plant cation channels using native membranes, mutant plants, and heterologous expression systems. Amer. Soc. Plant Biol. Natl. Mtg. Minisymposium

Zielinski R, Berkowitz Gerald A, Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Mercier R, Ditzler M, Harish A 2003 CNGC2-CaM interaction, a paradigm for Ca2+ and cNMP-modulated signaling in plants. Amer. Soc. Plant Biol. Natl. Mtg. Minisymposium

Berkowitz GA 2001 Molecular characterization of plant K channels. International symposium of importance of potassium in nutrient management for sustainable crop production in India        

Leng Q, Mercier R, Berkowitz GA 1999 First functional characterization of a plant cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel by oocyte expression and voltage clamp analysis. Amer. Soc. Plant Physiol. Natl. Mtg. Minisymposium

Berkowitz GA 1997 Molecular analysis of plant K channels. Amer. Soc. Plant Physiol. Natl. Mtg. President’s Symposium

Berkowitz GA  1996  Molecular characterization of plant potassium channels.  Amer. Soc. Agron. Natl. Mtg.

Berkowitz GA 1987 Magnesium effects on chloroplast metabolism and its protective effects in drought.  Gordon Research Conf. on Magnesium  in Biochemical Processes and Medicine

Berkowitz GA, M Gibbs 1984 Water deficit effects on nonstomatal mediated photosynthesis.  In: C Sybesma, ed., Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology (Advances in Photosynthesis Research Vol. 4), M Nijoff/W Junk Pub, Brussels, pp. 367-373

Berkowitz GA, M Gibbs 1982 In vitro osmotic stress and chloroplast metabolism.  Gordon Research Conf. on CO2 Fixation by Green Plants

Invited Participant at International Symposia and Projects

USDA/ARS Plant Water Stress Workshop Lake Arrowhead, CA. 1986.

Invited Book Reviews

Berkowitz GA, 1992 "Biochemistry of Photosynthesis" by R.P.F. Gregory. HortSci 27(7):858

Berkowitz GA, 1985 "Plant Water Relations" by PJ Kramer. Soil Science 140:305-306

Invited Presentation at Conferences

Berkowitz GA, P Nitzsche 1987  Use of soil amendments to reduce transplant shock in vegetable seedlings.  Eos 68:1296 (presented to the 1987 American Geophysical Union National Meeting)

Berkowitz GA 1988 Advanced research: one perspective bearing on drought tolerance.  Workshop on Developed Country Undertakings in International Horticulture.  Rutgers Univ.

Berkowitz GA, R Nathan 1990 Na currents in cultured primary pacemaker cells of the rabbit heart sinoatrial node.  American Heart Society Natl. Mtg.

Feng M, GA Berkowitz  1993  Design and testing of a generic K+ channel antibody.  Macromolecular Recognition Symposium.  Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Univ. of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Non-refereed publications

Rabin J, GA Berkowitz 1986  Successful parsley production programs in New Jersey, Herb, Spice and Medicinal Plant Digest 4:1-7

Rabin J, GA Berkowitz 1986  Growers respond to parsley programs in New Jersey.  Horticultural News 66:8-11

Pier PA, GA Berkowitz 1987  Effect of high leaf K+ on gas exchange of water stressed wheat leaves.  In: J Biggins, ed, Progress in Photosynthesis Research Vol. 4, M Nijoff/W Junk Pub, Brussels, pp 173-176

Sen Gupta A, GA Berkowitz 1987  Solute accumulation in chloroplasts during in situ water stress.  In: J Biggins, ed, Progress in Photosynthesis Research Vol. 4, M Nijoff/W Junk Pub, Brussels, pp 177-1808.

Abstracts

Berkowitz GA, NW Hopper 1979  Shelter effect of a sunflower windbreak on the microclimate, moisture use, growth, and yield of cowpeas.  Agron Abstracts: 98

Berkowitz GA, H Fankhauser, J Schiff 1981  A nucleotide with the properties of adenosine 5' phosphoramidate from Chlorella cells.  Plant Physiol 67S:79

Berkowitz GA, M Gibbs 1981 In vitro osmotic stress effects on the photochemistry of isolated spinach chloroplasts.  Plant Physiol 67S:87

Berkowitz GA, M Gibbs 1982 Fructose bisphosphatose mediates osmotic inhibition of photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 69S:101

Chen C, GA Berkowitz, M Gibbs 1983  Stromal acidification mediates in vivo water stress inhibition of non-stomatal controlled photosynthesis Plant Physiol 72S:13

Whalen C, GA Berkowitz 1984  Leaf potassium deficiencies enhance dehydration inhibition of non-stomatal controlled photosynthesis.  Hort Sci 19:536

Berkowitz GA 1985  Acclimation of chloroplast photosynthesis to leaf water deficits.  Plant Physiol 77S:6

Gianfagna TJ, GA Berkowitz 1985  Glucose catabolism and anthocyanin production in apple fruit. Plant Physiol 77S:66

Berkowitz GA, KS Kroll 1986  Water stress induced osmotic adjustment facilitates resistance of non-stomatal controlled photosynthesis and altered protoplast volume response to low water potentials.  Plant Physiol 80S:104

Pier PA, GA Berkowitz 1986 Effect of high leaf K+ on photosynthesis under water deficits. Plant Physiol 80S:106

Sen Gupta A, GA Berkowitz 1987  Chloroplast osmotic adjustment allows for acclimation of photosynthesis to low water potentials.  Plant Physiol 83S:47

Sen Gupta A, GA Berkowitz 1987  Stromal ATP level interaction with low osmotic potential inhibition of chloroplast photosynthesis. Plant Physiol 83S:47

Berkowitz GA, J Rabin 1987  Reduction of transpiration in pepper transplants enhances water balance and increases yield.  Plant Physiol 83S:48

Pier PA, GA Berkowitz 1987  K+ and H+ exchange across  the chloroplast envelope modulates low osmotic potential inhibition of photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 83S:116

Sen Gupta A, GA Berkowitz 1987 Altered protoplast volume in osmoregulating wheat modulates nonstomatal mediated water deficit effects on photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 83S:116

Nitzsche PJ, GA Berkowitz, J Rabin 1988  Effects of a wax emulsion antitranspirant on the water status and growth of transplanted bell pepper seedlings.  Plant Physiol 86S:74

Peters JS, GA Berkowitz 1988  Interaction of envelope-bound Mg, envelope ATPase inhibitor, and local amine anesthetics on chloroplast photosynthesis. Plant Physiol 86S:104

Sen Gupta A, GA Berkowitz 1988  Chlortetracycline fluorescence measure­ment of MG  (and CA) bound to the external surface of the chloro­plast en­velope.  Plant Physiol 86S:7

Sen Gupta A, GA Berkowitz, PA Pier 1988 Enhancement of photosynthesis in water stressed wheat by increased cellular potassium.  Plant Physiol 86S:74

Nitzsche PJ, GA Berkowitz, J Rabin 1988  Effects of a wax emulsion antitranspirant, soil wetting agent, and water absorbing root dip on the water relations, growth, and yield of transplanted Capsicum annum seedlings. Hort Sci:23:65

Mane S, GA Berkowitz 1989 The protoplast volume:water potential relationship and bound water fraction in spinach leaves. Plant Physiol 89S:122

Mane S, GA Berkowitz 1989 Maintenance of photosynthesis at low leaf water potential in wheat. Plant Physiol 89S:38

Mane S, GA Berkowitz 1989 Association of in situ stromal volume changes with water stress inhibition of photosynthesis in spinach. Plant Physiol 89S:124

Gunasekera D, S Mane, GA Berkowitz 1989 Evaluation of contrasting cellular-level drought acclimation responses. Plant Physiol 89S:123

Win K, GA Berkowitz, M Henninger 1989 Reduction of calcium deficiency-related brown necrosis in tubers of water stressed potato by use of a leaf antitranspirant. Plant Physiol 89S:39

Wu W, GA Berkowitz 1989 K movement across the chloroplast envelope and subsequent effects on stromal pH and photosynthesis. Plant Physiol  89S:175

Nitzsche P, GA Berkowitz, J Rabin 1989 Enhancement of water status, growth, and yield of transplanted bell pepper by use of an antitranspirant. Plant Physiol 89S:122

Peters J, W Wu, GA Berkowitz 1989 Towards a model of chloroplast envelope components which regulate K and H fluxes. Plant Physiol 89S:175

Gunasekera D, GA Berkowitz, 1991 Evaluation of heterogenous stomatal closure in leaves of water stressed plants.  Plant Physiol 95S:740

Wu W, J Peters, GA Berkowitz 1991 External Mg interaction with membrane surface charges modulates K influx and stromal pH in chloroplasts.  Plant Physiol 95S:209

Peters J, D Longhi, GA Berkowitz 1991 Preparation and use of liposomes with incorporated chloroplast envelope proteins to study ion transport.  Plant Physiol 95S:207

Glinka Z, D Gunasekera, S Mane, GA Berkowitz 1991 Drought acclimation in wild and cultivated barley lines.  Plant Physiol 95S:117

Wu W, GA Berkowitz 1991 Characterization of chloroplast envelope ATPase activity.  Plant Physiol 95S:929

Wang X-C, J Peters, GA Berkowitz 1992 Characterization of a chloroplast envelope K+-conducting channel protein by functional reconstitution into liposomes.  Plant Physiol 99S:42

Gunasekera D, GA Berkowitz, L Bogorad 1992  Tobacco transformed with antisense rbcS shows that water stress effects on photosynthesis are mediated by impaired RuBP regeneration rather than decreased rubisco activity.  Plant Physiol 99S:46

Peters J, GA Berkowitz 1992 Measurement of H and K fluxes into chloroplast inner envelope vesicles demonstrates that the envelope MgATPase is an H pump and ATP-dependent K flux in indirectly linked to its activity.  Plant Physiol 99S:41

Feng M, GA Berkowitz 1993 Design of a "generic" K channel antibody.  Plant Physiol 102S:102

Berkowitz GA, JS Peters 1993 Single-channel recordings of a chloroplast inner envelope K channel fused into artificial bilayers.  Plant Physiol 102S:597

Feng M, JS Peters, GA Berkowitz 1993 Characterization and partial purification of a chloroplast envelope K channel.  Plant Physiol 102S:598

Tang H-X, M Feng, A Vasconcelos, GA Berkowitz 1993 Progress towards the indentification and cloning of a chloroplast inner envelope K channel gene.  Plant Physiol 102S:188

Polashock J, D Lipson, G Berkowitz, C-K Chin, C Martin 1993 Expression of yeast D-9 fatty acid desaturase activity enhances chilling resistance in tobacco.  Plant Physiol 102S:921

Gonzalez-Gill L, GA Berkowitz, G Wulster 1993 Evaluation of the NO3/H symport model of high-affinity NO3 uptake in plant roots using root plasma membrane vesicles.  Plant Physiol 102S:607

Hadjeb N, GA Berkowitz  1994  Cloning and characterization of a potassium channel gene from Arabidopsis thaliana.  Plant Physiol 105S:789

Mi F, GA Berkowitz  1994  Identification of a 33 kD thylakoid membrane polypeptide as a putative K+ channel.  Plant Physiol 105S:790

Pedromo P, JA Murphy, GA Berkowitz  1994  Evaluation of summer stress tolerance in Kentucky Bluegrass.  Agron Abstracts 184

Zhang X, Hadjeb N, GA Berkowitz  1995  Expression of a novel plant K+ channel (AKT3) in Xenopus oocytes and characterization by voltage clamp analysis.  Plant Physiol 108S:121

Hadjeb N, GA Berkowitz  1995  Cloning of a third plant K+ channel cDNA.  Plant Physiol 108S:120

Peters JS, GA Berkowitz  1995  Molecular analysis of an ATP-binding protein in the chloroplast inner envelope.  Plant Physiol 108S:393

Fang Z, GA Berkowitz  1995  Activity of a thylakoid K+ channel facilitates electroneutral H+ pumping and optimal photosynthesis.  Plant Physiol 108S:402

Hadjeb N, GA Berkowitz  1995  Endophyte infection enhances water stress resistance in turfgrass.  Plant Physiol 108S:540

Tang H, A Vasconcelos, GA Berkowitz 1995 First evidence that plant K+ channels have two different subunits.  Plant Physiol 108S:119

Peters JS, GA Berkowitz  1995  Chloroplast inner envelope contains a 96 kDa E1E2 class H+-ATPase.  Plant Physiol 108S:113

Berkowitz GA 1996 Molecular characterization of plant potassium channels. Agron Abstracts1996:110

Kamasani UR, X Zhang, M Lawton, GA Berkowitz 1997 Ca-dependent protein kinase modulates activity of the K channel KAT1. Plant Physiol 114S:980

Zhang X, GA Berkowitz 1997 Molecular identification of a ClC-type chloride channel from Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol 14S:998

Weizhe Y, N Hadjeb, GA Berkowitz 1997 Molecular cloning and characterization of the first plant K/H Antiporter. Plant Physiol 114S:999

Berkowitz GA, X Zhang, Z Fang, H Tang, N Hadjeb, J Ma, AC Vasconcelos 1997 Molecular analysis of plant K channels. Plant Physiol 114S:50003

Berkowitz GA, Z Fang 1998 Cloning of a spinach cDNA encoding a VDAC channel protein  selectively targeted to mitochondria. Plant Physiol 117S:640

Weizhe Y, GA Berkowitz, X Zhang 1998 Cloning of the first putative plant member of the cyclic nulcleotide- gated cation channel family of proteins. Plant Physiol 117S:660

Leng Q, Mercier R, Berkowitz GA 1999 First functional characterization of a plant cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel by oocyte expression and voltage clamp analysis. Plant Physiol 120S:758

Ma J, Zhang X, Berkowitz GA 1999 Molecular analysis of K channel structure: a and b subunit interactions.   Plant Physiol 120S:757

Lin C-M, Brand M, Berkowitz GA 1999 Identification of gene products which inhibit zoospore growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi, an important pathogen of nursery crop plants. Plant Physiol 120S:839

Zhang X, Ma J, Berkowitz GA 1999 Evaluation of functional interaction between K channel a and b subunits and putative inactivation gating by coexpression in oocytes. Plant Physiol 120S:739

Leng Q, Korn S, Berkowitz GA 1999 Voltage clamp analysis of botanicals which interact with cloned mammalian pain receptor expressed in oocytes. Plant Physiol 120S:288

Leng Q, Mercier R,  Kaplan B, Fromm H, Berkowitz, GA 2000 Voltage clamp analysis of cloned plant cyclic nucleotide gated ion channels. Plant Physiol 123S:754

Mercier R, Berkowitz GA 2000 Phylogenetic analysis and structural comparisons of functional domains of plant cyclic nucleotide gated channels. Plant Physiol 123S:735

Leng Q, Berkowitz GA 2000 Natural plant vanilloids activate and desensitize cloned ion channel VR1, a mammalian pain receptor. Plant Physiol 123S:749

Mercier R, Leng Q, Berkowitz, GA 2000 Reevaluation of the molecular basis of ion selectivity in potassium channels. Plant Physiol 123S:753

Bao-Guang H, Mercier R, Leng Q, Berkowitz, GA 2001 Voltage clamp analysis of a plant ion channel with a conductance profile. Annual Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #138

Mercier R, Berkowitz GA, Makriyannis A 2001 Employing the nociceptor associated mammalian vanilloid receptor channel VR1 as a model for testing the analgesic properties of botanical and endogenous compounds. Annual Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #157

Kastal E, Mercier RW, Berkowitz GA 2002 Listening to and learning from the symphony of life; an undergraduate educational experience in the world of protein structure/function. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #3 (Education section poster)

Kastal E, Mercier RW, Hua B-G, Berkowitz GA 2002 Divining protein function from structure: modeling and functional analysis reveals a new pore architecture as a molecular basis for selective K over Na permeation in ion channels. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #91

Rabinowitz NM, Mercier RW, Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Berkowitz GA 2002 Molecular modeling of a plant cyclic nucleotide gated ion channel pore: possible influence of acid residues on calcium binding and block of current. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #262

Berkowitz GA, Hua B-G, Zielinski RE 2002 Demonstration of physical and functional interaction of calcium and calmodulin with cyclic nucleotide gated cation channels. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #795

Rabinowitz NM, Mercier RW, Gaxiola RA, Berkowitz GA 2003 Functional characterization of inwardly K- onducting plant cyclic nucleotide gated channels using a trk1, trk2 yeast mutant. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #1285

Mercier RW, Makriyannis A, Li C, Berkowitz GA 2003 electrophysiological analysis of anandamide/capsaicin hybrid analogs in Xenopus oocytes expressing VR1: discovering therapeutic agents in pain prevention. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #1295

Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Berkowitz GA 2003 Evaluating the role of cyclic nucleotides in modulation of native plant cell inward Ca and K currents. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #1307

Gaxiola RA, Sunghun P, Pittman J, Berkowitz GA, Li Jisheng, Morris J, Undurraga S, Yang Haibing, Hirschi KD 2003 Ectopic overexpression in tomato of the Arabidopsis AVP1 gene results in drought resistance. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #231

Mercier RW, Kastal E, Sutyak KE, MacLean I, Berkowitz GA 2003 Undergraduate student involvement in bioinformatics: genetic analysis of T-DNA insertional mutant plants as an education tool. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #15 (Education section poster)

Brini F, Masmoudi K, Gaxiola RA, Berkowitz GA 2003 Cloning and characterization of wheat vacuolar cation/proton antiporter and pyrophosphatase proton pump. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #1283

Berkowitz GA, Gaxiola RA 2003 Development of a novel high-throughput assay to identify and characterize inwardly conducting Na channels and use to demonstrate Na conductance of a plant cyclic nucleotide gated channel. Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #1292

Berkowitz GA, Loder L, Salt DE 2004 Characterization of ion transport-related phenotypes of Arabidopsis plants with mutations in genes encoding cyclic nucleotide gated nonselective cation channels Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #164

Berkowitz GA, Loder L, Ali R, Lemtiri-Chlieh F, Salt DE 2004 Plant CNGCs: functional characterization of plant cation channels using native membranes, mutant plants, and heterologous expression systems Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #45005

Ali R, Berkowitz GA 2004 Expression of Arabidopsis cyclic nucleotide gated nonselective cation channels (CNGCs) in yeast: Problems and prospective Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #167

Lemtiri-Chllieh F, Ali R, Berkowitz, GA 2004 Use of yeast as a heterologous expression system for electrophysiological analysis of plant CNGC channels Annu Mtg Amer Soc Plant Biol #178

Talks Presented at Conferences

Berkowitz GA 1986  Improving parsley stand establishment.  NJ Annual Veg Growers Mtg

Berkowitz GA 1987  Transplant shock affects peppers.  NJ Annual Veg Growers Mtg

Hahn BM, J Ehrenfeld, G Berkowitz 1988 The effects of water stress on wetland plant species. NJ Acad Sci Ann. Mtg

Mane S, GA Berkowitz 1988 Evaluation of techniques to measure the protoplast volume/water potential relationship in leaves.  NE Amer Soc Plant Physiol Ann Mtg

Wu W, GA Berkowitz 1988 Interaction of chloroplast envelope Mg, envelope membrane potent, cation movement, and photosynthesis. NE Amer Soc Plant Physiol Ann Mtg

Peters JS, GA Berkowitz 1988 Interactions of envelope-bound Mg, envelope ATPase inhibitor, and local amine anaesthetics on chloroplast photosynthesis.  NE Amer Soc Plant Physiol Ann Mtg

Nitzsche PJ, GA Berkowitz 1988 Effects of a wax emulsion antitranspirant on the water status and growth of transplanted bell pepper seedlings.  NE Amer Soc Plant Physiol Ann Mtg

Berkowitz GA, 1991 Reduction of Ca deficiency-related internal necrosis in potato by use of an antitranspirant NJ Annual Veg Growers Mtg

Berkowitz GA  1995  Endophyte-mediated water stress resistance in turf.  Proc. IV Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium

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COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANTS

External Grants

International Potash and Phosphate Institute, $10,000:  "Superoptimal K+ enhancement of photosynthesis under water stress" 1/85

NSF, Metabolic Biology Program, $93,000:  "Identification of the relationship in vivo between chloroplast stromal pH, drought stress and photosynthetis potential  1/85

Aquatrols Corp., $18,500: "Use of Folicote, a wax emulsion antitranspirant for enhancing water balance and increasing plant survival of vegetable crop transplants" 8/86

N.J. Veg. Growers Assoc.: $600: "Reduction of transplant shock using antitranspirants" 1/87

NSF, $150,000: "Characterization of water deficit effects on chloroplast photosynthesis" (9/87)

N.J. Veg. Growers Assoc. $1,200: "Can the use of an antitranspirant replace seedling hardening treatments as an effective means of protecting transplanted vegetable seedlings" 11/87

Aquatrols, $22,000: "Antitranspirants to enhance quality & yield in water stressed potatoes. 6/88

USDA-NRI $100,000:  Chloroplast envelope components which regulate H+ & K+ transport 9/90

Johnson & Johnson Discovery Research Program, $20,000: "Purification of a K-conducting channel from chloroplast inner envelope" 4/92

USDA-NRI $120,000: K channel and envelope ATPase: a system regulating photosynthesis.9/92

NSF, $50,000:  Design and testing of a generic K+ channel antibody 12/93

USDA Research Apprenticeship for Minority High School students, $2,400:  Preparation and use of an immunoaffinity column for the purification of plant K+ channel proteins 3/94

American Chemical Society "Project Seed" Economically Disadvantaged High School Student Summer Intern Program; $1,650: Immunopurification of a plant membrane K+ channel 4/94

USDA-NRI, $90,000: Molecular characterization of a chloroplast envelope K+ channel and H+ pump ATPase 9/94

Department of Energy, Ener. Biosci. Program, $171,100: Molecular analysis of a thylakoid K+ channel 9/95

NSF, Multi-User Equipment Prog., $54,390: An oocyte expression: patch/voltage clamp system for the expression and analysis of genes encoding membrane channels and receptors  12/95

NSF, $295,000: Molecular and biochemical analysis of a plant K+ channel beta subunit 9/96

Yankee Ingenuity Initiative, Connecticut Innovations  Inc., $141,886: Genetic engineering of rhododendron for phytophthora resistance and phytophthora diagnostic assay development 7/98

NSF, $412,776: Plant cyclic nucleotide gated ion channels; structure:function analysis of a newly identified & unique family of proteins. 4/01

USDA Sci. Coop. Res. Prog. $60,000: Improving salt tolerance of winter wheat in Tunisia. 9/01

USDA-NRI, $130,000: Calmodulin, Ca & cAMP gated ion channels; unraveling a signal cascade in plants. 9/01

NSF, $492,857: Plant cyclic nucleotide gated channels: functional characterization using cloned channels and native plant membranes. 4/04

 SDA Secondary and two-year postsecondary agricultural education challenge grant, $40,000: A learning module and lab manual to teach students how protein structure is related to function, at the molecular, cell, and whole plant level (Co-PI Jon Swanson). 4/04

Fulbright Program Alumni Initiatives Awards, $25,000: Enhancing drought/salinity tolerance of wheat varieties indigenous to North Africa: research, teaching and outreach (Co-PI Khaled Masmoudi)

USDA-NRI (Equipment grant proposal) $20,000: Expression studies by real-time polymerase chain reaction- request for equipment (Co-PIs Susan von Bodman, Roberto Gaxiola, Larry Silbart, and Mary McGrane)

 
 
 
gerald berkowitz
 

Gerald A. Berkowitz
Professor
University of Connecticut


1390 Storrs Rd., Unit 4163
Department of Plant Science
Agricultural Biotechnology Lab
Storrs, Connecticut 0626
9

Telephone: (860) 486-1945
fax: (860) 486-0682

sabbatical - email: gberkowi@nsf.gov

email: gerald.berkowitz@uconn.edu

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