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Dr John Harper
BSc, PhD Belf.
Position Senior Lecturer in Plant Science
Plant Cell Biology
School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences
Location Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Phone 02 6933 2837
Fax 02 6933 2812
EMAIL
jharper@csu.edu.au
Career Brief
Dr Harper received a BSc (Botany - Hons) and a PhD in Botany from The Queens' University, Belfast. He has spent over 20 years researching the mysteries of cell division and developmental cell biology of plants. The plants investigated range from the microscopic alga Chlamydomonas, used as a model to study cell division through mutation, to the model plant Arabidopsis.
A major theme in Dr Harper's work has been research into the functions of fibrous protein scaffolds (the cytoskeleton) composed of microtubules, actin filaments and centrin including how the cytoskeleton directs many cell functions such as in the movement of organelles around cells and cell plate formation.
Dr Harper joined the staff of CSU in 2001 where he has been actively involved in teaching, Botany, Microbiology and Biochemistry.
Research and Teaching
Research
Dr Harper collaborates with plant pathologists to investigate the cell and molecular biology of plant pathogens.
Subject areas Dr Harper teaches include Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Genetics
Teaching
Dr Harper is also involved with school education programs that promote the science behind Primary Industries.
Professional Links
- Cell Biology Discipline Representative The Australian Society of Plant Scientists (2004-2006)
- Member of The Australian Society of Plant Scientists
- Committee member for the 2006 NSW Agriculture Teachers Conference
Interests
- Cell Biology of Plants and Pathogens
- Schools Education Programs Promoting Primary Industries
Selected Publications
Yang S, Pang W, Ash GJ, Harper JDI , Carling J, Kilian A (2006) Development and application of Diversity Arrays Technology to genotyping and genetic diversity study of Pigeonpea. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 113 , 585-595.
Lanoiselet VM, Cother EJ, Ash GJ, Harper JDI (2005) Yield loss potential and chemical control of two rhizoctonia sheath diseases on rice. Australasian Plant Pathology 34 , 175-179.
Harper JDI , Salisbury JL, John PCL, Koutoulis A (2004) Changes in the centrin and microtubule cytoskeletons after metaphase arrest of the met 1 Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant. Protoplasma 224 , 159-165.
Collings DA, Harper JDI , Vaughn KC (2003) The association of peroxisomes with the developing cell plate in dividing onion root cells depends on actin microfilaments and myosin . Planta 218 , 204-216.