Nematology/Biology 159 – This introduction to the
biology of nematodes generally enrolls about 50
undergraduates each year and presently is taught in the
winter quarter by Professors Baldwin and Platzer. The
class emphasizes functional morphology, phylogeny,
physiology, development, genetics, behavior and
ecology of taxa that are not parasitic as well as
parasites or plants, vertebrates and invertebrates.
Nematology/Plant Pathology 206 – This graduate level overview of plant parasitic nematodes is taught by Professors Roberts and Baldwin. The class emphasizes recognition of common parasites, diagnosis, biology and management of major nematode diseases.
Nematology 205 – This is a summer class on practical identification of plant parasitic nematodes taught by Professor Baldwin and Associate Mundo. In addition to UCR graduate students, the class attracts national and international visitors who have the option of enrolling through University Extension
Workshop on Identification of Freeliving Secerentea – This summer class workshop is similar to nematology 205 but emphasizes identification and systematics of free-living Secernentea. It is taught by Professors De Ley and Baldwin and is offered through University Extension
Nematode Phylogeny:
NemATOL: Phylum Nematoda: Integrating multidisciplinary expertise and infrastructure for resolving relationships in a major branch of the tree of life.
--View Summary A
Marine nematodes:
Accelerating the molecular/morphological bioinventory of meiofanuna: Marine nematodes of Mexico’s threatened Gulf of California. Images, sequences and collection data of material from this collection are incorporated into the database for NemaTOL.
--View Summary B
Tylenchomorpha:
Molecular phylogeny of the Tylenchomorpha establishing an evolutionary framework for the study of plant parasitic nematodes.
--View Summary C
Training the next generation of nematode taxonomists: applying the tools of modern monography across free-living and parasitic Tylenchina
--View Summary D
Comparative anatomy and morphogenesis in the Cephalobina and Tylenchida.
The goal is to demonstrate morphological homologies at the fine structural level of Cephalobina and Tylenchida with further comparisons to Caenorhabditis elegans. This is done throughfixation by freeze substitution and serial TEM sections that are then aligned and contours of each cell membrane are traced to generate 3D models using Imod. The models are then visualized with Blender for animation so that cell relationships can then be interpreted through Quicktime movies. This has been implemented by graduate students/ postdocs Dan Bumbarger and Erik Ragsdale (see recent publications) including the stoma, stylet, anterior sensory system + amphids.
Link to TEM_reconstructions
