Tim Keeton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Joined Alma College Faculty in 1998
Dow 235
(989) 463-7072
Office Hours: posted online, http://faculty-staffpages.alma.edu/~keeton/
Homepage: http://faculty-staffpages.alma.edu/~keeton/
Download My Full Vita
My research interests focus on improving our understanding of the interactions between the common soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and certain insects, particularly insects which carry human diseases and insects which destroy crops and forests. A truly interdisciplinary field, we use state-of-the-art molecular biology tools to study the ecology and genetics of B. thuringiensis itself, the developmental biology and physiology of the insects that are killed by the bacterium's toxins, the cell biology of the action of the toxins on the insects' cells, and the molecular genetics behind the expression of toxin binding proteins in the insects. In improving the likelihood that biopesticides will see increasing use, we are also involving ourselves in ecology and environmental microbiology issues. Please see my website for more details...
Education
- B.A., Wittenberg University (1985)
- Ph.D., Univ. of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1994)
- Post-Doctoral Fellow, Univ. of Wyoming ('94-'98)
Research Interests
Insect biopesticide receptor cell biology
Directed Student Presentations and Achievements
- Subcloning of a Gypsy Moth Biopesticide Receptor Enables Toxin Mode of Action Studies
- Software analysis of existing Bacillus thuringiensis biopesticide receptors aids in the cloning of novel members of this newly-discovered family of proteins.
- Expression of the Gypsy Moth Bacillus thuringiensis toxin receptor in cell culture
Selected Articles
- Tim Keeton, Ph.D. (with Autumn Hass, Heather Fox,and Laura Opperman). "Lack of alternative mRNA splicing leads to midgut-specific expression of a single high-affinity BT-R1 receptor in Manduca sexta." BIOS. 2005 v76(3) pp153-161 October 2005.
Recent Presentations
- Timothy P. Keeton, Ph.D.. "In vitro cell culture model for investigating Bacillus thuringiensis biopesticide mode(s) of action." Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Conference. Montreal, CA.
Service to the College
- Strategy and Planning Council
- Academic Standards Committee
Service to the Community
- 4-H "Hands-on" instructor for Fly Tying/Casting module
- Bi-annual 5/6th grade field trips to ecological station
- St. Mary School Committee Advisor
