Albert P. Kausch

  • Professor, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Director
  • West Kingston Research Facility 530 Liberty Lane Kingston, RI
  • Phone: 860-287-0485
  • Email: apkausch@uri.edu
  • Website

Biography

Dr. Albert Kausch is Professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Rhode Island and Director of the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory. Dr. Kausch earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and completed postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University, in collaboration with the University of Ghent, where he contributed to early pioneering plant transformation research. He previously held leadership roles at DeKalb Genetics/Pfizer, Inc. and HybriGene, Inc., and has extensive experience in plant transformation technology development, genome editing, bioenergy, and agricultural biotechnology across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. His intellectual property contributions include over 67 patent filings, covering foundational innovations in plant transformation, chloroplast targeting, and gene transfer technologies.

Research

Research in the Kausch Lab focuses on development and application of advanced molecular tools for crop plant improvement and basic biology, including plant transformation, genome editing, and gene expression technologies. Current work emphasizes advancing tissue culture free plant transformation systems, innovative DNA delivery technologies, particularly in monocot crops, and exploring novel approaches for precise gene regulation and trait development. The lab integrates basic and applied approaches with education and training to address challenges in crop productivity, bioenergy, and agricultural biotechnology innovation. The Kausch lab collaborates with a network of national and international scientists on diverse agricultural and educational projects in both academics and industry.

Education

  • Postdoctoral, Rockefeller University in collaboration with University of Ghent 1983-87
  • D., Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Iowa State University, 1983
  • S., Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Iowa State University, 1980
  • A., Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Oswego, 1978

Selected Publications

C. Baysal, A.P. Kausch, J.P. Cody, F. Altpeter, D.F. Voytas. “Rapid and efficient in planta genome editing in sorghum using foxtail mosaic virus-mediated sgRNA delivery” Plant Journal (2024)

K. Nelson-Vasilchik, J.P. Hague, M. Tilelli, A.P. Kausch. “Rapid transformation and plant regeneration of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) mediated by altruistic Baby boom and Wuschel2” In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology 58(3): 331–342 (2022)

K. Nelson-Vasilchik, J.P. Hague, M. Mookkan, Z.J. Zhang, A.P. Kausch. “Transformation of recalcitrant sorghum varieties facilitated by Baby Boom and Wuschel2” Current Protocols in Plant Biology 3(4): e200076 (2018)

M. Mookkan, K. Nelson-Vasilchik, J. Hague, Z.J. Zhang, A.P. Kausch. “Selectable marker independent transformation of recalcitrant maize inbred B73 and sorghum P898012 mediated by morphogenic regulators BABY BOOM and WUSCHEL2” Plant Cell Reports (2017)

A.P. Kausch, K. Nelson-Vasilchik, J.P. Hague, M. Mookkan, H. Quemada, S. Dellaporta, C. Fragoso, Z.J. Zhang. “Edit at Will: Genotype Independent Plant Transformation in the Era of Advanced Genomics and Genome Editing” Plant Science 281 (2019)

F. Altpeter, N.M. Springer, L.E. Bartley, A.E. Blechl, T.P. Brutnell, V. Citovsky, L.J. Conrad, S.B. Gelvin, D.P. Jackson, A.P. Kausch, P.G. Lemaux, J.I. Medford, M.L. Orozco-Cárdenas, D.M. Tricoli, J. Van Eck, D.F. Voytas, V. Walbot, K. Wang, Z.J. Zhang, C.N. Stewart Jr. “Transformation in the Era of Genome Editing” The Plant Cell 28: 1510–1520 (2016)
W.J. Gordon-Kamm, T.M. Spencer, M.L. Mangano, T.R. Adams, R.J. Daines, W.G. Start, J.V. O’Brien, S.A. Chambers, W.R. Adams Jr., N.G. Willetts, T.B. Rice, C.J. Mackey, R.W. Krueger, A.P. Kausch, P.G. Lemaux. “Transformation of maize cells and regeneration of fertile transgenic plants” The Plant Cell 2: 603–618 (1990)

C. Hefflinger, A. Deresienski, K. Nelson, M. Moreno, J. Hague, S. Dellaporta, A.P. Kausch. “Genomic Characterization of Interspecific Hybrids and an Admixture Population Derived from Panicum amarum × P. virgatum” The Plant Genome 8(2): 1–12 (2015)

A.P. Hayward, M.A. Moreno, T.P. Howard, J. Hague, K. Nelson, C. Heffelfinger, S. Romero, A.P. Kausch, G. Glauser, I.F. Acosta, J.P. Mottinger, S.L. Dellaporta. “Control of sexuality by the sk1-encoded UDP-glycosyltransferase of maize” Science Advances 2: e1600991 (2016)

L. Herrera-Estrella, G. Van den Broeck, M. Van Montagu, P. Schreier, J. Schell, H.J. Bohnert, A.R. Cashmore, M. Timko, A.P. Kausch. “Chimaeric gene coding for a transit peptide and a heterologous polypeptide” U.S. Patent 6,063,601 (Issued May 16, 2000)