Karen Koster

I teach courses in the areas of cell biology, cellular physiology, and plant physiology.

My research focuses on understanding mechanisms of cellular dehydration tolerance. I use seeds and moss to study how water loss affects cell structure and how some cells are adapted to survive the loss of almost all their water. I also do research on seed longevity, which is dependent upon processes that occur in the dried tissues. Understanding the physical and chemical changes that occur in dehydrated cells may help us improve the longevity of seeds and other genetic resources when they are stored.

Citations listed below are presented in a standardized, modified format for display purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the preferred style and conventions of the faculty member or discipline.

Rathnayake, Kumudu K., Nelson, Sven, Seeve, Candace, Oliver, Melvin, and Koster, Karen. Acclimation and endogenous abscisic acid in the moss Physcomitrella patens during acquisition of desiccation tolerance, 317-329. Vol. 167, Iss. 3 Physiologia Plantarum, 2018. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.12892)
Xiao, Lihong, Yobi, Abou, Koster, Karen, He, Yikun, and Oliver, Melvin M.. Desiccation tolerance in Physcomitrella patens: rate of dehydration and the involvement of endogenous ABA. Plant, Cell & Environment, 2018. (DOI: 10.1111/pce.13096)
Koster, Karen. "Connections, Conundrums, and the Meaning of Life". In The Harrington Lectures, No. 60, 29. Vermillion, SD: College of Arts & Sciences, University of South Dakota, 2015.
Goodman, Barb, Koster, Karen, and Swanson, David. The Development and Implementation of a New Medical Biology Major Including Physiology, 67-75. Vol. 39 Advances in Physiology Education, 2015. (DOI: 10.1152/advan.00010.2015 )
Nguyen, Huu H., Park, Hyunwoo, Koster, Karen, Cahoon, Rebecca R., Nguyen, Hanh H., Shanklin, John, Clemente, Thomas T., and Cahoon, Edgar E.. Redirection of Metabolic Flux for High Levels of Omega-7 Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Accumulation in Camelina Seeds, 38-50. Vol. 13, Iss. 1 Plant Biotechnology Journal, 2014. (DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12233)
Garvey, Christopher C., Lenne, Thomas, Koster, Karen, Kent, Ben, and Bryant, Gary. Phospholipid membrane protection by sugar molecules during dehydration -- insights into molecular mechanisms using scattering techniques, 8148-8163. Vol. 14, Iss. 4 International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2013.
Walters, Christina C., Volk, Gayle G., Stanwood, Phil P., Towill, Leigh L., Koster, Karen, and Forsline, Phil P.. Long-Term Survival of Cryopreserved Germplasm: Contributing Factors and Assessments from Thirty Year Old Experiments, 113-120. Vol. 908 Acta Horticulturae, 2011.
Koster, Karen, Balsamo, Ronald R., Espinoza, Catherine, and Oliver, Melvin M.. Desiccation sensitivity and tolerance in the moss Physcomitrella patens: assessing limits and damage. In Plant Growth Regulation , 293-302. Vol. 62 Heidelberg: Plant Growth Regulation , 2010. (DOI: 10.1007/s10725-010-9490-9)
Lenne, Thomas, Garvey, Christopher C., Koster, Karen, and Bryant, Gary. Kinetics of the lamellar gel-fluid transition in phosphatidylcholine membranes in the presence of sugars. , 236-242. Vol. 163 Chemistry and Physics of Lipids , 2010. (DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2009.12.001)
Oliver, Melvin M., Cushman, John J., and Koster, Karen. Dehydration tolerance in plants. In Plant Stress Tolerance, Methods in Molecular Biology, editors Ramanjulu Sunkar, 3-24. Vol. 639, Iss. 1st New York, NY: Plant Stress Tolerance, Methods in Molecular Biology, 2010. (DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-702-0_1)
Lenné, Thomas, Garvey, Christopher C., Koster, Karen, and Bryant, Gary. Effects of Sugars on Lipid Bilayers during Dehydration- SAXS/WAXS Measurements and Quantitative Model, 2486–2491. Vol. 113, Iss. 8 The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2009.
Lenné, T, Kent, B, Koster, KL, Garvey, CJ, and Bryant, G. Electron density analysis of the effects of sugars on the structure of lipid bilayers at low hydration–a preliminary study.. In 33rd Annual Condensed Matter And Materials Meeting, 1–4.
Lenne, Thomas, Garvey, Christopher C., Koster, Karen, and Bryant, Gary. The effects of sugars on lipid bilayers during dehydration: SAXS/WAXS measurements and quantitative model. . In Journal of Physical Chemistry B , 2486-2491. Vol. 113
Lenne, Thomas, Bryant, Gary, Holcomb, Roland, and Koster, Karen. How much solute is needed to inhibit the fluid-gel membrane phase transition at low hydration? , 1019-1022. Vol. 1768, Iss. 5 Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Biomembranes , 2007. (DOI: doi:10.1016/j.bbamem.2007.01.008 )
Walters, Christina, and Koster, Karen. Structural dynamics and desiccation damage in plant reproductive organs. In Plant Desiccation Tolerance, , editors MA Jenks, A Wood. Oxford: Plant Desiccation Tolerance, Blackwell Publishing, 2007.
Koster, KL, and Bryant, G. Sugar protection of membranes: A trio of mechanisms for a range of water contents, 488–489. Vol. 73, Iss. 3 South African Journal of Botany, 2007.
Mo, Bing, and Koster, Karen. Changes in lipoxygenase isoforms during germination and early seedling growth of Pisum sativum L. , 97-106. Vol. 16 Wallingford: Seed Science Research , 2006.
Koster, Karen, and Bryant, Gary. Dehydration in model membranes and protoplasts: contrasting effects at low, intermediate and high hydrations. . In Cold Hardiness in Plants, editors THH Chen, M Uemura, S Fujikawa, 219-234. Wallingford: Cold Hardiness in Plants, CABI, 2006.
Lenne, Thomas, Bryant, Gary, Garvey, Chris C., Leiderling, U, and Koster, Karen. Location of sugars in multilamellar membranes at low hydration. , 862-864. Vol. 385-386 Physica B: Condensed Matter, 2006. (DOI: doi:10.1016/j.physb.2006.05.127 )
Lenné, Thomas, Bryant, Gary, Koster, Karen, and Holcomb, Roland. Quantitative analysis of the effect of sugars on membrane phase transitions and interlamellar hydration forces, 443. Vol. 53, Iss. 3 Cryobiology, 2006.
Bryant, Gary, Lenné, Thomas, Koster, Karen, and Garvey, Christopher C.. Sugar distribution between and around membranes during dehydration, 404. Vol. 53, Iss. 3 Cryobiology, 2006.
Halperin, Stephen S., and Koster, Karen. Sugar effects on membrane damage during desiccation of pea embryo protoplasts. , 2303-2311. Vol. 57 Journal of Experimental Botany , 2006.
Lenne, T, Bryant, G, and Koster, Karen. Quantitative study on the effects of sugars on membrane phase transitions-preliminary investigations. In 16th National Congress 2005 Australian Institute of Physics.
Bryant, Gary, and Koster, Karen. Dehydration of solute–lipid systems: hydration forces analysis, 73–79. Vol. 35, Iss. 2 Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2004.
Hejl, Angela A., and Koster, Karen. Juglone disrupts root plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity and impairs water uptake, root respiration, and growth in soybean (Glycine max) and corn (Zea mays), 453–471. Vol. 30, Iss. 2 Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2004.
Hejl, Angela A., and Koster, Karen. The allelochemical sorgoleone inhibits root H+-ATPase and water uptake, 2181–2191. Vol. 30, Iss. 11 Journal of chemical ecology, 2004.
Koster, Karen, Reisdorph, Nichole, and Ramsay, Jodie J.. Changing desiccation tolerance of pea embryo protoplasts during germination, 1607–1614. Vol. 54, Iss. 387 Journal of Experimental Botany, 2003.
Koster, Karen, Maddocks, Kami K., and Bryant, Gary. Exclusion of maltodextrins from phosphatidylcholine multilayers during dehydration: effects on membrane phase behaviour, 96–105. Vol. 32, Iss. 2 European Biophysics Journal, 2003.
Ramsay, Jodie J., and Koster, Karen. A comparison of anhydrous fixation methods for the observation of pea embryonic axes (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska), 83–90. Vol. 12, Iss. 2 Seed Science Research, 2002.
Wolfe, Joe, Bryant, Gary, and Koster, Karen. What is unfreezable water, how unfreezable is it and how much is there?, 157–166. Vol. 23, Iss. 3 CryoLetters, 2002.
Xiao, Limin, and Koster, Karen. Desiccation tolerance of protoplasts isolated from pea embryos, 2105–2114. Vol. 52, Iss. 364 Journal of experimental botany, 2001.
Koster, KL. Effects of sugars on phospholipid phase transitions: relevance to dehydration tolerance, 26–32. Vol. 47 Cryobiol Cryotechnol, 2001.
Bryant, Gary, Koster, Karen, and Wolfe, Joe. Membrane behaviour in seeds and other systems at low water content: the various effects of solutes, 17–25. Vol. 11, Iss. 01 Seed Science Research, 2001.
Koster, Karen, Lei, Yao Y., Anderson, Matthew, Martin, Stephen, and Bryant, Gary. Effects of vitrified and nonvitrified sugars on phosphatidylcholine fluid-to-gel phase transitions, 1932–1946. Vol. 78, Iss. 4 Biophysical Journal, 2000.
Edwards, Joshua J., Koster, Karen, and Swanson, David. Time course for cryoprotectant synthesis in the freeze-tolerant chorus frog,< i> Pseudacris triseriata, 367–375. Vol. 125, Iss. 3 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 2000.
Reisdorph, Nichole N., and Koster, Karen. Progressive loss of desiccation tolerance in germinating pea (Pisum sativum) seeds, 265–271. Vol. 105, Iss. 2 Physiologia Plantarum, 1999.
Hejl, Angela A., and Koster, Karen. The phytotoxin juglone inhibits microsomal H+-ATPase activity, 66. Vol. 117 Plant Physiol, 1998.
VavraReisdorph, NA, and Koster, KL. Desiccation tolerance of pea embryos is lost gradually during germination.. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 1509–1509. Vol. 114, Iss. 3
Swanson, DL, Graves, BM, and Koster, KL. Freezing tolerance/intolerance and cryoprotectant synthesis in terrestrially overwintering anurans in the Great Plains, USA, 110–119. Vol. 166, Iss. 2 Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 1996.
Xiao, LM, and Koster, KL. Isolation of protoplasts from desiccation tolerant pea embryos.. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 745–745. Vol. 111, Iss. 2
Koster, Karen, Sommervold, Catherine C., and Lei, Yao Y.. The effect of storage temperature on interactions between dehydrated sugars and phosphatidylcholine, 1581–1596. Vol. 47, Iss. 5 Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 1996.
Lei, YP, and Koster, KL. Vitrified sugars prevent dehydration-induced membrane fusion. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 228–228. Vol. 111, Iss. 2
Koster, KL, and Anderson, M. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VITRIFIED SUGARS AND LIPIDS-MECHANISM BY WHICH THE FLUID-TO-GEL PHASE-TRANSITION TEMPERATURE IS LOWERED. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 110–110. Vol. 108, Iss. 2
Sommervold, CL, Lei, YP, and Koster, KL. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VITRIFIED SUGARS AND LIPIDS-THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON SAMPLE STABILITY. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 111–111. Vol. 108, Iss. 2
Koster, KL, Tengbe, MA, Furtula, V, and Nothnagel, EA. Effects of low temperature on lateral diffusion in plasma membranes on maize (Zea mays L.) root cortex protoplasts: relevance to chilling sensitivity, 1285–1294. Vol. 17, Iss. 12 Plant, Cell & Environment, 1994.
Koster, Karen, Webb, Murray M., Bryant, Gary, and Lynch, Daniel D.. Interactions between soluble sugars and POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine) during dehydration: vitrification of sugars alters the phase behavior of the phospholipid, 143–150. Vol. 1193, Iss. 1 Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes, 1994.
HEJL, AM, BORMANN, T, Koster, Karen, and EINHELLIG, FA. EFFECT OF 6 SESQUETERPINE LACTONES ON OXYGEN-UPTAKE IN ISOLATED-MITOCHONDRIA AND OXYGEN EVOLUTION IN ISOLATED-CHLOROPLASTS. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 114–114. Vol. 102, Iss. 1
Koster, Karen, and WEBB, MS. VITRIFIED SUGARS LOWER THE GEL-TO-FLUID PHASE-TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE DURING DEHYDRATION-RELEVANCE TO ANHYDROBIOLOGY. In PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 160–160. Vol. 102, Iss. 1
Koster, Karen, and Lynch, Daniel D.. Solute accumulation and compartmentation during the cold acclimation of Puma rye, 108–113. Vol. 98, Iss. 1 Plant Physiology, 1992.
Koster, Karen. Glass formation and desiccation tolerance in seeds, 302–304. Vol. 96, Iss. 1 Plant Physiology, 1991.
Koster, Karen. The role of soluble sugars during dehydrative stress in plants. Cornell University, Jan., 1991.
Koster, Karen, and Leopold, A Carl. Sugars and desiccation tolerance in seeds, 829–832. Vol. 88, Iss. 3 Plant Physiology, 1988.

Phi Beta Kappa Society Senator, Phi Beta Kappa Society , 2021
Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biologists, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2019
Raytown Quality Schools Alumni Hall of Fame, Raytown (MO) Quality Schools, 2017
Nomination for Belbas-Larson Excellence in Teaching Award, 2015
Honorary Lifetime Membership, International Society for Seed Science, 2014
National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences, The National Academies, 2013
Harrington Lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences, 2012
Richard and Sharon Cutler Award in Liberal Arts, USD College of Arts & Sciences, 2007
Nomination for Belbas-Larson Award for Teaching Excellence, University of South Dakota, 2006
Chair, Midwestern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2004
Minority Affairs Committee Member, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2004
Secretary, International Society for Seed Science, 2004
Vice-Chair, Midwestern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2003
President, Alpha Chapter of South Dakota, Phi Beta Kappa, 2001
Secretary-Treasurer, Midwestern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2001
Biology Councilor, Council on Undergraduate Research, 2000
Nomination for Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of South Dakota, 1998
Biology Councilor, Council on Undergraduate Research, 1997
Nomination for Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of South Dakota, 1997
Sigma Xi, 1988
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation, 1985
A.D. White Fellow, Cornell University, 1984
Graduated with Highest Distinction and Departmental Honors, The University of Kansas, 1984
Phi Beta Kappa, 1984
Phi Kappa Phi, 1984
Chancellor's Club Scholar, University of Kansas, 1980
National Merit Scholar, 1980

Rathnayake, Kumudu N., Koster, Karen, Oliver, Melvin, Alexander, Danny, and Wone, Bernard, A comparative metabolomic study between constitutively desiccation tolerant Syntrichia ruralis and inducibly desiccation tolerant Physcomitrella patens. Presented at the International Plant & Animal Genome XXVI, San Diego, CA. (January 2018)
Rathnayake, Kumudu N., Koster, Karen, Alexander, Danny, and Wone, Bernard, Desiccation Tolerance in the Moss Physcomitrella patens: Insights into Metabolic Pathway Alterations during Acquisition of Desiccation Tolerance. . Presented at the MOSS 2017, Honolulu, HI. (June 23, 2017)
Rathnayake, Kumudu N., Wone, Bernard, Alexander, Danny, and Koster, Karen, The Acquisition of Desiccation Tolerance in the Moss Physcomitrella patens: a metabolomic analysis. . Presented at the Plant Biology 2017, Honolulu, HI. (June 2017)
Rathnayake, Kumudu N., Sternhagen, Tyler, and Koster, Karen, Desiccation, longevity, and lipid peroxidation in Physcomitrella patens. . Presented at the MOSS 2016, Leeds, United Kingdom. (September 04, 2016)
Rathnayake, Kumudu N., and Koster, Karen, Acquisition of desiccation tolerance in the moss Physcomitrella patens by intrinsic mechanisms. . Presented at the Midwestern American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting, Brookings, SD. (March 19, 2016)
Sternhagen, Tyler, and Koster, Karen, Aging in moss: Lipid peroxidation by ROS does not limit longevity in dry storage. . Presented at the Midwestern American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting, Brookings, SD. (March 19, 2016)
Barnes, Theresa F., Kumssa, Tadele, and Koster, Karen, Effects of altered fatty acid content on germination of transgenic Camelina sativa. . Presented at the Midwestern American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting, Brookings, SD. (March 19, 2016)
Sternhagen, Tyler, and Koster, Karen, Aging in moss: lipid peroxidation by ROS does not limit longevity in dry storage. Presented at the Plant Biology 2015, Minneapolis, MN. (July 2015)
Walters, Christina, Hill, Lisa, Crane, Jennifer, Koster, Karen, Perez, Hector, and Ballesteros, Daniel, Some thoughts about the desiccation tolerance continuum and the basis for “intermediate” seed physiologies. Presented at the 6th International Workshop on Desiccation Tolerance and Sensitivity in Seeds and Vegetative Plant Tissues, South Africa. (January 2012)
Bryant, Gary, and Koster, Karen, Understanding Membrane Damage and Protection during Cellular Dehydration. Presented at the 6th International Workshop on Desiccation Tolerance and Sensitivity in Seeds and Vegetative Plant Tissues, South Africa. (January 2012)
Koster, Karen, Niemann, Zachary R., and Oliver, Melvin J., ABA induces desiccation tolerance in Physcomitrella patens. . Presented at the Plant Signaling in Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stress, Lincoln, NE. (October 2011)
Koster, Karen, Oliver, Melvin J., Balsamo, Ronald A., and Niemann, Zachary R., Studying cellular dehydration tolerance using the moss Physcomitrella patens . Presented at the Plant Biology 2011, Minneapolis, MN. (August 2011)
Walters, Christina, Hill, Lisa M., Koster, Karen, and Bender, Jaimie, Comparisons of seed longevity under simulated aging and genebank storage conditions using Brassicaceae seeds. Presented at the 10th Conference of the ISSS, Bahia, Brazil. (April 2011)
Koster, Karen, Balsamo, Ronald A., Espinoza, Catherine, and Oliver, Melvin J., Desiccation sensitivity and tolerance in the moss Physcomitrella patens: assessing limits and damage. . Presented at the Plant Biology 2010, Montreal, Canada. (August 2010)

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