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 M.E. Casey Crooks | M.E. Casey CrooksInstitute for Microbial and Biochemical SciencesUnit: FPL-4712 Research Microbiologist One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, WI United States 53726-2398 Phone: 608-231-9251 casey.crooks@usda.gov |
Current Research
Our research goals are to use genetic tools to identify important genes and gene products involved in wood decay and fermentation of cellulosic biomass. We seek to use a large scale genetic screening approach dependent on the development of high throughput transformation and subsequent high throughput phenotypic assays. This mass screening approach seeks to compliment the currently deployed biochip array and genomics based informatics to identify potentially valuable candidate genes and enzymes that might not otherwise be recognized.
Research Interest
- Molecular cloning and characterization of pyranose 2-oxidase gene from the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum
- Molecular genetics of filamentous fungi, particularly Basidiomycetes
- Forward genetic identification of elements influencing ethanol production in Pichia stipitis for use in strain improvement.
- Functional genomics and bioinformatics related to lignocellulose-degrading fungi
- Improved transformation technologies for manipulation of white and brown rot fungi using biolistic bombardment.
- Whole genome expression microarray analysis and proteomics
- Identification
- Heterologous expression systems
- Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Postia placenta, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora
Below are the 15 US Forest Service publications sorted by year. You may re-sort the list by: Title, Date Posted, Category, Publication or Year.
| Publication Year: 2017 | |
 Highlight ID: 1296 | Enzymatic conversion of xylan into valuable products. Xylan represents a vast store of potential value but rather than seeing beneficial use, much of this reservoir is lost in catastrophic wildfires that result in significant property loss and tragic loss of life. This Forest Service research aims to un ... |
| Publication Year: 2016 | |
 Highlight ID: 663 | Characterization of Microbial Biocatalysts in Lignocellulosic Utilization Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass would benefit from development of second generation bacterial biocatalysts. The bacterium Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR2, originally isolated from decaying sweetgum wood disks, has the ability to process a vari ... |
 Highlight ID: 662 | Development of Enzymes for use in Lignocellulose Processing The ultimate best use of lignocellulose allows for the selective extraction of defined value streams. To facilitate this, Forest Service research strives to develop new enzymes with unique capabilities in biomass processing. These new enzymes aim to ... |
| Publication Year: 2015 | |
 Highlight ID: 613 | Protein Structure and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Functioning Xylanase Scientists identified and characterized a xylanase with unique function that may have applications in processing of woody biomass substrate. ... |